PROMOTION OF LANGUAGES
12.1.0 Languages being the most important medium of Education, their development occupies an important place in the National Policy on Education. Therefore, promotion and development of Hindi and other languages listed in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution including Sanskrit and Urdu on the one hand and English as well as foreign languages on the other hand, received due attention. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Department is assisted by a number of autonomous organisations and subordinate offices, namely, Kendriya Hindi Shikshan Mandal, Agra, which runs Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Agra with its five centres; Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (RSS), New Delhi with its seven Vidyapeethas; Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, with its four regional centres, one Extension Centre and two Urdu Training and Research Centres; Central Hindi Directorate (CHD), New Delhi, Commission for Scientific & Technical Terminology (CSTT), New Delhi, and Bureau for Promotion of Urdu (BPU). Non-governmental agencies are involved in a big way in language promotion activities. Financial assistance is provided to these NGOs for implementing various schemes/programmes. During the year under report, the Department continued its ongoing schemes and programmes. Following activities pertaining to promotion and development of languages were undertaken during 1992-93.
Promotion and Development of Hindi 12.2.1 To encourage voluntary organisations engaged in promotion, development and propagation of Hindi, the Central Government has been providing them financial assistance since the First Five Year Plan. Over the years, the number of organisations seeking financial assistance under this scheme is progressively increasing. With the Government assistance, some of these organisations have grown into major institutions operating simultaneously in more than one State. Financial assistance is also being extended to voluntary organisations as well as individuals for bringing out publications with a view to promoting and propagating Hindi. The scheme has been approved for continuance during Eighth Five Year Plan.
Appointment and Training of Hindi Teachers in Non-Hindi speaking
States/UTs. 12.2.2 with a view to assisting the non-Hindi speaking States/UTs for promotion and propagation of Hindi in pursuance of the provisions contained in Article 351 of the Constitution of India, the Central Govt. had started, during the Second Plan, the schemes of (i) Appointment of Hindi teachers; and (ii) opening/strengthening of Hindi Teachers Training Colleges. Under these schemes Central assistance was provided to the non-Hindi speaking States/UTs on 100% basis. These schemes were implemented upto the Seventh Plan as two different schemes. Since the objectives of these schemes are similar, these have been merged together into a single scheme entitled "Appointment and Training
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of Hindi Teachers in non-Hindi speaking States/UTs" in the Eighth Plan and central assistance on the same pattern has been continued in 1992- 93. During 1992-93, central assistance amounting to Rs.137.45 lakh has been provided to various non-Hindi speaking States/UTs under this scheme on the approved pattern for appointment/maintenance/training of about 1090 Hindi teachers.
Propagation of Hindi Abroad 12.2.3 This scheme was started in the Fourth Five Year Plan with the objective of promoting and propagating Hindi Abroad. The specific programmes/activities under the scheme are (i) Award of scholarship to about 50 foreign students for study of Hindi in India for a period of one year (ii) supply of Hindi books and other equipment for propagation of Hindi to Indian Missions abroad (iii) deputation of Hindi teachers to Surinam, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago; (iv) Appointment of Hindi Librarian and part-time Hindi lecturers in the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, and High Commission of India, Srilanka. The scheme has been continued in the Eighth Plan and rates of scholarship and the book grant have been revised from Rs.750/- p.m. to Rs.1200/- p.m. and Rs.250/- to Rs.400/- per annum respectively. The programme of teaching Hindi to foreign students is being conducted at the headquarters of the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan at Agra.
Establishment of International Hindi University 12.2.4 A Committee on Establishment of International Hindi University under the Chairmanship of Dr. Shiva Mangal Singh 'Suman' has been set up.
12.2.5 The terms of reference of the Committee are to (i) finalise the blue print for the proposal to set up International Hindi University (ii) recommend about the estimates of likely financial expenditure on the proposal along with its phasing during Eighth Five Year Plan (iii) recommend suitable location for the proposed University and (iv) make recommendations on any other matter pertaining to setting up of Hindi University-which the Committee may deem fit.
Central Hindi Directorate (CHD)
12.3.1 The Directorate is compiling thirteen each in Hindi and regional languages based bilingual dictionaries. So far thirteen dictionaries, viz., Hindi-Assamese, Hindi-Gujarati, Hindi-Kashmiri, Hindi-Marathi, Hindi-Malayalayam, Hindi-Oriya, Hindi-Sindhi, Hindi- Tamil, Hindi-Telugu, Hindi-Urdu, Urdu-Hindi, Malayalam-Hindi and Oriya-Hindi dictionaries have been published. The Directorate has brought out twelve trilingual dictionaries, while twelve Hindi based and twelve regional languages based trilingual dictionaries are being compiled. The Directorate has also published one multilingual dictionary and the 'Tatsam Word Dictionary' beside compliling "Bharatiya Bhasha Parichay Kosh". Under cultural exchange programme, Czech-Hindi and German-Hindi
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(Vol.I & II) dictionaries have been published. Under the U. N. Language Dictionaries programme, Hindi-Chinese, Hindi-Arabic, Hindi-
French and Hindi-Spanish dictionaries have been published. Besides these, Hindi-Kashmiri and Hindi-Assamese Conversational Guides have been published. Work on one trilingual and two bilingual dictionaries is in an advanced stage. A project for preparation of bilingual dictionaries of Hindi and languages of neighbouring countries has been undertaken. Out of ten such dictionaries, work on Hindi-Persian, Hindi-Sinhalese and Hindi-Indonesian is in progress. Marathi-Hindi- English (Trilingual) Dictionary in two volumes has been published during 1992 and Hindi-Telugu conversational guide is in process of printing.
12.3.2 The Directorate also brings out Hindi journals like "Unesco Doot" (Hindi version or the English Magazine entitled "Unesco Courier"), "Bhasha" (bi-monthly), "Varshiki" (annually) and "Sahityamala" (Books on Indian Languages and Literature). 'Who is Who of Hindi Writers' and 'Bhartiya Natak' has also been published.
12.3.3 The Directorate is implementing a scheme of teaching Hindi through correspondence courses in the media of English, Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali. The enrolment in these courses during the current session is 14,674. Some records and cassettes have also been prepared as devices for students. Personal Contact Programmes are organised for removing the difficulties of the students.
12.3.4 The Directorate has organised study tours of Hindi speaking students of non-Hindi speaking states and also released travel grants to research scholars of non-Hindi speaking areas. Neo-Hindi writers' workshops are held in non-Hindi areas to encourage original writing in Hindi, besides symposia for discussing various aspects of Indian literature in non-Hindi speaking areas. Sixteen non-Hindi speaking Hindi writers are given awards every year.
12.3.5 A number of books have been sent free of cost to the non- Hindi states for the propagation of Hindi. Exhibition of Hindi books is another activity of the Directorate. The Directorate is also conducting a survey of spoken form of Hindi as official language.
12.4.1 The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSST) was set up in October, 1961 for evolution of Scientific and Technical Terminology in Hindi and other Indian languages, production of university level books and reference literature in all disciplines to facilitate smooth changeover of media of instruction in universities.
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Terminology
12.4.2 Second edition of 'Agricultural Glossary' has been published. Glossaries in Medicine, Defence, Commerce, Social Science, as well as 'Administrative Glossary' (Hindi-English) are under print. During the year about 40,000 technical terms relating to various Department were finalised. Terminological work in the subjects of Leather Technology, Chemical Engineering, Mining & Geological Survey, Public Admn. & Veterinary Science as also updation of terminology in the subjects of Economics and Psychology are at various stages of production.
12.4.3 The CSTT has brought out forty two definitional dictionaries so far. Three such dictionaries are under print and seven under preparation.
12.4.4 So far, fifteen Pan-Indian glossaries have been published for free distribution amongst scholars, writers, translators and journalists. Three Pan-Indian Glossaries are under print.
12.4.5 The CSTT has brought out, in collaboration with the Hindi Granth Academies, State Text-Book Boards and University Cells, 10,999 University level books in Hindi and regional languages. The Commission has also produced 365 books in the field of engineering, medicine and agriculture. The CSTT also brings out a quarterly journal "Vigyan Garima Sindhu".
12.4.6 With a view to promoting and popularising appropriate use of the terminology, evolved by the Commission, the CSTT organises workshops for university/college teachers in diverse disciplines of basic sciences. Annually 12-15 such workshops are organised. So far, more than 2580 University/College teachers have received terminology orientation.
12.4.7 With a view to facilitating effective coordination updating and printing of comprehensive subject group-wise and subject-wise glossaries and creating a data-base for setting up a computer based National Terminology Bank, the CSTT launched this project in 1989 and under this project, all the five lakh technical terms evolved by the CSTT are being fed into the database.
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12.5.1 In pursuance of the objective of training Hindi Teachers in non-Hindi speaking States, the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS) with its Headquarters at Agra and five Centres located at Delhi Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mysore and Shillong has been conducting many important programmes such as training courses like Nishnat and Parangat Certificate courses, etc. They are conducting extension programmes for Hindi teachers in tribal areas. The Sansthan has also developed text books and instructional materials for teaching Hindi in non Hindi speaking areas.
12.5.2 A full-fledged academic course for teaching Hindi to foreigners is being conducted by the Sansthan under the scheme, "Propagation of Hindi Abroad". During the current year, the Government of India has awarded scholarships to forty three students from various foreign countries.
12.5.3 Under the scheme entitled "Hindi Sevi Samman Yojna" awards were given to ten eminent Hindi Scholars for their distinguished contribution in the field of development and propagation of Hindi, Hindi journalism, creative literature, scientific and technical Hindi literature, etc., every year.
Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore
12.6.1 With a view to training teachers in Modern Indian Languages for implementing the Three Language Formula, the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), is running full academic year course for school teachers from different States and Union Territories at their Regional Language Centres and two Urdu Teaching Research Centres. Around 258 teachers are undergoing language training through regular classes and about 486 adult learners from different walks of life have been enrolled in the certificate course through correspondence in Tamil, Telugu and Bengali in the current year.
12.6.2 Language teaching material for teaching major Modern Indian Languages in the voluntary sectors of U.P. Government, teaching aids, language games, skillwise work books in Bengali and Urdu, nursery rhymes in Tamil and Telugu, manual to use mass media in teaching Kannada were prepared. College teachers of Mizo language were given training in Linguistic and socio-linguistic aspects of language teaching. After studying primitive tribe called "ONGE" in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, primary and video programmes were prepared to teach this language to tribal children.
12.6.3 The Institute has also prepared 100 audio cassettes in four South Indian languages to teach them as first and second languages in the schools to supplement the textbooks. In the area of computer application, an IBM version of utility software with BHASHA to use Indian languages for programming to produce
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softwares was completed.
12.6.4 Financial assistance is being provided to voluntary organisations as well as individuals for bringing out publications as well as purchase of books with a view to promoting and propagating modern Indian languages. similarly, voluntary organisations engaged in promotional activities in various Modern Indian Languages and in English also receive Central assistance.
12.6.5 Taraqqi-e-Urdu Board which was constituted in 1969, is an apex advisory body to advise the Government on promotion and development of Urdu language. Chairman of the Board is the Minister of Human Resource Development and its advisory board consists of Members of Parliament, Urdu scholars, and academicians.ekk
12.6.6 The Bureau for Promotion of Urdu executes and implements recommendations of the Board, and also functions as its secretariat. The main activities of the Bureau during the year were as under :-
* About 30 books are likely to be published.
* Glossaries of technical terms in two subjects are likely to be published.
* Two volumes of Urdu Encyclopaedia are to be published and one volume of English-Urdu dictionary is expected to be published.
* Half-yearly research journal called "Fikr-e- Tahqeeq" will continue to be published.
* Financial assistance is being given to forty Calligraphy Training Centres all over India. Out of these, seven are exclusively meant for ladies.
* Urdu translation of NCERT textbooks will be continued.
* Financial assistance to organisations and individuals for publication of books in Urdu including by way of bulk purchase of books was provided. Also provided financial assistance to recognised institutions for language promotional activities.
* Correspondence course in Urdu will be launched.
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12.6.7 The Government had set up in February 1990 a Committee of Experts under the chairmanship of Shri Ali Sardar Jafri to examine implementation of recommendations of Gujral Committee for Promotion of Urdu. The Committee submitted its Report to the Government on September 18, 1990. The recommendations of the Committee are under consideration.
12.6.8 A Committee on Establishment of Urdu University under the chairmanship of Shri Aziz Qureshi, Ex. M.P. has been set up. The terms of reference of the Committee are as follows :-
Nature, Scope and Administrative and Academic structure of the University; the finances required for the university and other issues relevant to the long term requirement of resources; location and time frame for establishment of the university; and any other matter relevant or germain to the establishment of the university.
12.6.9 The Government has decided to establish a Sindhi Vikas Board for promotion and development of Sindhi. The scheme of Financing of Programmes for Development of Sindhi was continued during the year. Under this scheme, it is proposed to purchase 90 books for free distribution to libraries and organisations; 5 authors are to be given awards for their books; voluntary organisations/agencies will be given grant-in-aid for language promotion activities.
12.7.0 In order to bring about substantial improvement in the standards of teaching/learning of English in the country, the Government is giving assistance through the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad for the setting up of at least one district centre for English language in each State. So far, twenty-six District Centres have been set up. The Government is also providing assistance to Regional Institutes of English and English Language Teaching Institutes of different States through the CIEFL for strengthening them. There are at present two Regional Institutes of English and nine English Language Teaching Institutes.
12.8.1 A variety of programmes have been formulated and implemented for the development and promotion of Sanskrit and other classical language like Arabic and Persian. During the period under report, following developmental programmes were implemented:-
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12.8.2 The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, an autonomous organisation established in 1970, is the apex body for the propagation and development of Sanskrit learning in the country. In furtherance of these objectives, the Sansthan imparts Sanskrit education through the Sanskrit Vidyapeethas located in different parts of the country and also takes steps to preserve and publish rare manuscripts testifying to the ancient tradition of learning and intellectual pursuits.
12.8.3 Since its inception, Sansthan has established nine Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeethas. Those located in Delhi and Tirupati have since been accorded the status of deemed universities and are thus functioning independently. The remaining Vidyapeethas located at Jammu, Jaipur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Puri, Guruvayoor and Sringeri are being administered directly by the Sansthan. The Vidyapith, located at Sringeri and named after late Shri Rajiv Gandhi was inaugurated by the President of India on 5th March, 1992.
12.8.4 In accordance with the norms prescribed in this behalf by the UGC, a four week refresher course for lecturers and readers of the Sansthans was conducted at Puri in June/July, 1992.
12.8.5 Campuses of Vidyapeethas at Guruvayoor, Jammu, Lucknow and Jaipur are under construction, while the work for the building of Sansthan would be taken up shortly.
12.8.6 Under this scheme, registered voluntary Sanskrit organisations/institutions are given recurring and non-recurring grants for meeting expenditure on salary of teachers, scholarships to students, construction and repair of building, furniture, library etc. Seventy-five per cent of the approved expenditure on each of the above mentioned items is given as grant from the Ministry and in the case of vedic institutions where oral Vedic tradition is being preserved, Government grant covers 95% of the total approved expenditure. About seven hundred Sanskrit organisations in the country were given financial aid during the year under report.
12.8.7 Some of the voluntary Sanskrit Organisations, having potential for future development and offering post-graduate studies have been recognised as Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas and are provided with financial assistance @95 per cent recurring and 75 per cent non-recurring expenditure. So far fourteen graduate Sanskrit teaching institutions and two post-graduate
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research institutions have been brought under the purview of this scheme. Four of them are in Bihar, three each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, two each in Haryana and Maharashtra and one each in Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.
12.8.8 Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan (RVVP) continued its activities during the year 1992-93 which have been envisaged for the fulfilment of its objectives. A major activity is related to the preservation of the oral tradition, which is being pursued by organising several Vedic Sammelans, regional and national, promotion of Veda Pathshalas, assistance to Vedic Pandits, honouring of the Vedic Pandits, tape-recording of Vedic recitations of various Shakhas, and by means of encouraging Vedic Pandits through contact, correspondence and through workshops. Another major activity of the Pratishthan is to promote research into the contents of Vedic knowledge, particularly with reference to the advancement of Scientific knowledge. The following activities were undertaken by RVVP during the year under report:-
- A four day workshop on Vedic Mathematics was organised at Palakkad, Kerala from 14th to 17th May, 1992.
- The Committee of Vedic Dictionary, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Vidya Niwas Mishra, held a meeting on 26th Sept., 1992 and decided to select 500 basic terms of the Veda.
- The Pratishthan extended collaboration with the Indian Council of Philosophical Research in organising and Publishing special lectures connected with the project of Indian science, philosophy and culture and a national seminar on value education.
- During 1992-93, efforts were made to bring out at least three books and these will be published in November, 1992.
- An All India Vedic Sammelan was organised at Indore from 10th to 12th Nov. 1992. Regional Sammelans were held at Vijaywada, Jammu and Guwahati and one is proposed to be organised at Somnath towards the end of this financial year.
- Tape recording of the entire Atharvaveda recited by eminent Vedapathi of Baroda has been completed. It was also proposed to tape-record the entire Shukl Yajurveda at Indore between 10th to 12th November, 1992.
- A consultation meeting on "Vedic system of eduction and our contemporary needs" is likely to be organised in February, 1993 under the auspices of the Pratishthan at Delhi University.
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12.8.9 Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi was registered in January, 1987 as Deemed to be University. Preservation of Shastraic tradition, interpretation of Shastras, providing means for intensive training in modern as well as Shastraic lore for teachers, are the main objectives of the Vidyapeetha.
12.8.10 In the Vidyapeetha, during the year 1990-91, 732 students were on roll for the different courses of Shastri Acharya, Shiksha Shastri and Shiksha Acharya and staff strength was 100.Following activities were taken during the year under report :-
i) Inauguration of the Vidyapeetha as Deemed University on 23.2.1991.
ii) An All India Conference of Vedic scholars held on 23rd to 25th February, 1991 in collaboration with Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, New Delhi.
iii) A Seminar on Dharmkosh by Indian Council of Philsophical Research, Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi and Jaipur and a purse of Rs.1.00 lakh was presented to Acharya Laxam Shastri of Wai (Maharashtra) in which Vidyappetha contributed Rs.25,000/-.