DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI, SANSKRIT AND MODERN INDIAN LANGUAGES
Article 351 of the Constitution enjoins upon the Union Government to promote, develop and enrich Hindi, the official language of the Union, The Ministry of Education has launched several programmes for these purposes. The programme for the propagation of Hindi includes grant of financial assistance to voluntary organisations, appointment of Hindi teachers, establishment of teachers training colleges, maintenance of an Institute of Research and Training in Hindi, supply of free books to libraries particularly in non-Hindi-speaking areas and award of scholarships for higher studies in Hindi. The programme of enrichment and development of Hindi includes schemes of preparation, translation and publication of standard books of university level in Hindi through official and voluntary agencies as well as universities and learned societies, preparation and translation of books in Hindi with the assistance of private publishing concerns, and preparation and publication of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, and translation of official literature.
2. Various schemes for the propagation and development of Sanskrit are being continued. They include financial assistance to voluntary Sanskrit organisations, Gurukulas and Sanskrit Pandits in indigent circumstances; maintenance of Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, reprinting of important out-of-print Sanskrit books, scholarships to products of Sanskrit Pathasalas and Sanskrit students in high/higher secondary schools. This is, in addition to what is being done by the State Governments in this regard.
3. The Constitution of India also lays down as a fundamental right that "Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India in any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same." This devolves on the Union Government to develop all Indian languages. The Ministry of Education, accordingly, follows a separate programme for the development of all modern Indian Languages other than Hindi, but including Sindhi.
A.PROPAGATION OF HINDI 4. Assistance to Voluntary Organisations.-The work of propagation of Hindi through voluntary organisations gained momentum. Grants-in-aid amounting to Rs. 3,68,440 have been given to voluntary organisations for this Purpose, during the current year till 31st January, 1964.
5. Appointment of Hindi Teachers.-Under the programme of direct propagation of Hindi through schools under the control of the State Governments, the Union Government have been placing funds at the disposal of the State Governments in their development budgets for appointment of Hindi teachers at various levels.
5.2. During the past years the Ministry had been providing funds for the appointment of at least one Hindi teacher in a high or higher secondary school. In 1962-63 this provision was extended to cover primary and middle schools as well. Also from 1962-63 the Union Government agreed to meet
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hundred per cent expenditure on the appointment of Hindi teachers at high/ higher secondary, middle and primary school levels.
6. Hindi Teachers Training Colleges.-The expansion of teaching facilities required adequate increased supply of trained Hindi teachers. Accordingly several Hindi teachers training colleges have been opened at various centres in the country. Full expenditure in this behalf is being met by the Union Government. During 1961-62 and 1962-63, Kerala, Mysore, Gujarat and Madras States were assisted to start one Hindi teachers training college each. Financial assistance was also given to the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to expand the existing facilities. This year one addi- tional training college was set up in Mysore to meet the growing demand of trained Hindi teachers in the State and the Government of West Bengal has also been assisted to open a similar college in the State.
7. Kendriya Hindi Shikshana Mandal, Agra.-In order to supply up-to-date expert knowledge and professional guidance in respect of teaching mehods and allied pedagogical problems, the Union Government had set up an autonomous body entitled Kendriya Hindi Shikshana Mandal, which is running a Hindi Teachers Training and Research Institute at Agra. The Institute is catering for three different courses equivalent to T.T.C., B.Ed. and M.Ed. and is also conducting research on vocabulary, content of various courses and techniques of teaching with special reference to the requirement of non-Hindi regions. Teachers from different parts of the country as well as regional teachers training colleges have been benefited by the expert guidance and research work done, by the Institute. During the current financial year a grant of Rs. 2 lakh has so far been given to the Mandal for the training of Hindi teachers and various other projects launched by it.
8. Scholarships for Study of Hindi.-To encourage and help non- Hindispeaking students to prosecute higher studies in Hindi and to carry out research, the Union Government have instituted a large number of scholarships. During the current financial year, 427 scholars of previous years continued their studies under the scheme. Two hundred and twenty scholarships for 1963-64 have also been announced.
9. Free Supply of Hindi Books.-As a follow-up programme arrangements have been made to supply books worth Rs. 2 lakh free of cost to different schools, colleges and public libraries in the non- Hindi-speaking areas during the year under review. Certain selected books have also been supplied to Hindi-speaking States and universities and private Hindi organisations.
10. Preparation of Bilingual Primers (Self-taught Series).-Under this scheme, Hindi-Malayalam, Hindi-Kannada and Hindi-Telugu primers are under preparation by the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras, on behalf of the Ministry.
11. Regional Offices.-Two Regional Offices had been set up, one at Calcutta and the other at Madras, to effect greater coordination and cooperation between the Union Government and the voluntary Hindi organisations. The direct contact thus established with these organisations has helped considerably in the propagation of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking areas. It is proposed to establish more Regional Offices in 1964-65.
12. Hindi Shiksha Samiti.-A conference of voluntary Hindi organisations was called in 1951 to consider the measures that might be necessary for the propagation and development of Hindi. On a recommendation of the
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Conference, an Advisory Committee known as the `Hindi' Shiksha Samiti was set up to advise the Government on matters relating to the propagation and development of Hindi in the country. The Samiti has met 15 times since then and made several recommendations which are being implemented.
13. Encouragement of Hindi A broad.-Two schemes have been followed under this programme during the period. Under the first, facilities for teaching Hindi to African students studying in Indian universities were provided and paid for by the Ministry, particularly in the form of stipends. Under the second, prizes in the form of free round-trip to India are provided to foreign students learning Hindi and also other Indian languages. During the period, a student of Sanskrit from Turkey, Miss Inci Cetinkaya was awarded a free round- trip for one month for visits to places of historical and cultural importance commencing from Bombay on 6th January, 1964.
13.2. In addition, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, an autonomous organisation financed by the Ministry follows a programme of promotion of teaching Hindi abroad. This programme includes the appointment of or subsidising the appointment of Hindi lecturers in institutions in other countries, grant of scholarships to foreign students and scholars for study in Hindi and presentation of Hindi books to universities, schools, libraries and private organisations. An account of the activities during the year under this, programme is given in para 19 under `Section B' of Chapter Thirteen of this report.
B. DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF HINDI 14. Production of Literature.-The Ministry of Education is primarily, engaged in the production of such literature as would enrich Hindi and make it a powerful medium of instruction and vehicle of administration. The activities in this behalf include the evolution of terminology in scientific and technical subjects, publication of lists of such terminology, pamphlets, booklets, dictionaries and glossaries of technical terms in English with Hindi equivalents and their Hindi-English version.
15. Periodicals.-Four regular issues of the `Bhasha' quarterly were brought out during the year under review. In addition, one special number `Shanti-Raksha' has been brought out. It is also proposed to bring out a monthly magazine, `Bhartiya Shiksha'. The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology propose to bring out a quarterly periodical entitled, `Indian Journal of Scientific and Technical Terminology'.
16. Preparation and Translation of Standard Works of University Level.-With hundred per cent assistance by the Union Government, the programme of translation into Hindi is being implemented through universities, academic bodies of State Governments and literary societies of all-lndia status engaged in a similar job. Whole-time translation cells have been established at Delhi, Bhopal, and Banaras, and it is proposed to set up similar cells at two other places. A small translation bureau has as well been set up, in the Central Hindi Directorate, a subordinate office of the Ministry. Gujarat State and Punjabi University are also taking advantage of the scheme for translation of standard works into Gujarati and Punjabi. In all, there are 33 agencies, as against 30 last year, which are engaged in translation work. At present translation of 217 books is in band; six books have already been brought out and eight books are under publication. The tempo of work is increasing and it is hoped that 100 books would be got translated each year.
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17. Preparation, Translation and Publication of Books in Collaboration with Publishers.-This scheme was approved in order to bring out scientific and worthwhile knowledge within the easy reach of the common reader in Hindi. The scope of the scheme has been reviewed during the year to include for consideration standard works and books for children. The procedure for the vetting of translation and the manuscripts of original books has been revised in order to facilitate quicker production of literature under this scheme. For this purpose a provision for advance payment to publishers in exceptional cases has also been made.
17.2. So far 147 titles have been approved for translation into Hindi. Under this scheme, 9 books have been Published and the manuscripts of 18 books are ready.
18. Production of Books on the basis of 50 per cent Assistance.--Under the scheme, the Agra University has taken up translation into Hindi, of books which have been approved by the Ministry of Education. The scheme has been extended to regional languages also and the Gujarat University has been given assistance to take up translation into Gujarati of 10 titles.
19. Hindi Encyclopaedia.-The work of preparing a Hindi Encyclopaedia in Hindi at a total cost of Rs. 11 lakh was entrusted to the Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Varanasi in 1956. The Sabha has brought out 3 volumes of the Encyclopaedia. The fourth volume is nearing completion.
20. Dictionaries.-The definitional dictionaries (Hindi-English) in Physics, Mathematics and Botany have been reviewed and their press copies are under preparation.
20.2. Glossary of Scientific and Technical Terms-Volume I consisting of coordinated terminology up to degree standard in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Geology and Geography has been prepared and is under print. It contains about 50,000 terms on these subjects.
20.3. A Hindi-English Dictionary of Common Words has been compiled. it has about 6,000 words, and is under print.
21. Standard Key-Board.-The Union Government had prepared a standard key-board during 1962 and its layout was also announced. It was anticipated that during 1963-64 some firms would be in a position to produce Hindi typewriters with this standard key-board. Subsequently, however, the State Government of Maharashtra also came forward with a Devanagari keyboard which was different from the standard key-board of the Union Government. Since for writing Hindi and Marathi the common Devanagari script is used, it was felt that it would not be desirable to have different keyboards for these two languages, and therefore a common key-board for Hindi and Marathi has been prepared. It is hoped that Hindi typewriters with this revised key-board would be manufactured in India during 1964-65.
B. II TERMINOLOGY WORK 22. Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology.-Under the auspices of the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology, special meetings of the Expert Advisory Committees on Medicine and Agriculture were organised; 3760 terms of agriculture and 3010 terms of medicine have been finalised.
22.2 The Union Government have decided to wind up the Review and Coordination Committee, and consequently, the work relating to the review and evolution of terminology in humanities and social sciences has also been entrusted to the Commission. At a special meeting of experts held under the
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auspices of the Commission the residual work of finalising 596 designational terms was completed during the period under report.
22.3. The Commission having completed the work of review and evolution of terminology up to first degree standard in several natural sciences has decided to undertake the work of evolution of terminology of postgraduate level in these subjects.
22.4. An organisation has been set up at Roorkee, under the auspices of the Roorkee University, for review and evolution of terminology in engineering subjects in collaboration with the Commission. It will work under the member-in-charge of the subject in the Commission.
C.DEVELOPMENT OF SANSKRIT 23. Central Sanskrit Board.-On the sad demise of Shri M. Patanjali Shastri, Shri D. V. Potdar, Vice-Chancellor, Poona University has been appointed the Chairman of the Central Sanskrit Board. The various programmes of activities relating to the promotion and development of Sanskrit are being continued on the advice of the Board. The progress of the schemes and the projects during the year are indicated in the paragraphs that follow.
24. Financial Assistance to Voluntary Sanskrit Organisations.--Under the scheme of financial assistance to voluntary Sanskrit organisations/institutions for the promotion of Sanskrit, grants amounting to about Rs. 3,14,000 have, till 15th January, 1964, been sanctioned during the current year for their developmental activities.
25. Financial Assistance to Gurukulas.-Under the scheme of grant of financial assistance to the Gurukulas, grants amounting to about Rs. 75,000 have, till 15th January, 1964, been sanctioned during the current year for their developmental activities.
26. Production of Sanskrit Literature-On the recommendations of the Central Sanskrit Board, an appreciable number of copies of books relating to Sanskrit has been purchased during the year for free distribution to various institutions. By giving a subsidy of of Rs. 30,000 to publishers, the price of Apte's `Students' Sanskrit-English and English-Sanskrit Dictionaries' has been brought down from Rs. 30 to Rs. 10 per set. Reprints of Mahabhashya and Complete Works of Sankaracharya are expected to come out shortly.
27. Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati.-The Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha started its Research and Publication Wing in August, 1963, in addition to the Pedagogy and Training Wing which started functioning in December, 1962. The first Convocation of the Vidyapeetha was held in August, 1963.
28. Preparation of Sanskrit Dictionaries based on Historical Principles.- A further grant of Rs. 1,50,000 was paid to the Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Poona during the year to cover the expenditure on the project of compiling a Sanskrit-English Dictionary based on historical principles.
29. All India Sanskrit Elocution Contest.-Sanskrit students trained on traditional lines participated in the Second Contest which was held at Ujjain in December, 1963. In addition to eight Gold and eight Silver Medals, cash prizes were awarded to the first and second winners in eight different subjects respectively. A running Silver Shield was also awarded to the team from Mysore State whose over-all performance was adjudged as the best.
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30. Award of Research Scholarships to the Products of Traditional Sanskrit Pathashalas.-Forty-three scholars of previous years continued studies under the scheme.
31. Financial Assistance to Sanskrit Pandits in Indigent Circumstances.The Central Sanskrit Board have recommended names of 133 scholars for financial assistance, subject to the verification of their age and income.
32. Award of Merit Scholarships to Students Studying Sanskrit in High/ Higher Secondary Schools.-The scheme has been introduced with a view to encouraging students of high/higher secondary schools to take Sanskrit as, one of their subjects of study. 1,000 merit scholarships of Rs. 10 each per month have been sanctioned in the year under report. A sum of about Rs. 92,000 has so far been paid to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations/Governments for payment of scholarships to selected students.
D. DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN INDIAN LANGUAGES 33. The scheme envisages development of all the modern Indian languages. mentioned in the Constitution, excluding Hindi, and including Sindhi. It was included in the second Five-Year Plan with a Plan provision of Rs. 20 lakh. Out of the above sum, nearly Rs. 14 lakh was utilised during the second Five-Year Plan. The scheme has since been expanded in scope and has been included in the third Plan with a programme limit of 99 lakh. Central assistance under the scheme has been extended this year also to State Governments and private literary organisations for approved projects up to 50 per cent of estimated expenditure towards the cost of publications, intended to develop the respective languages. The publications assisted under the scheme are in the form of encyclopaedias, bilingual dictionaries, bibliographies, books of knowledge and the like.
33.2. One significant event, during the year, has been the Organisation of a Writers (Translators') Camp at Hyderabad from 19th June to 2nd July, 1963. One of the specific assignments of this Camp was to work out a curriculum for translators' course to be adopted in the universities or allied institutions in the country. It was participated by many a distinguished literateur and writer.