DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI, SANSKRIT AND MODERN INDIAN LANGUAGES
The Union Government, under Article 351 of the Constitution is required to promote the spread of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of composite culture of India and to secure its enrichment by assimilating without interfering with its genius, the forms, style and expressions used in the other languages of India, and by drawing wherever necessary or desirable, for its vocabulary, primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages. To fulfil this objective, the Union Ministry of Education has launched several programmes. The programme for the propagation of Hindi includes grant of financial assistance to voluntary Hindi organisations, appointment of Hindi teachers in primary, middle and higher secondary schools in non-Hindi speaking States, establishment of Hindi teachers' training colleges in non-Hindi speaking States, maintenance of an Institute of Research and Training of Hindi teachers, supply of free Hindi books to school and college libraries particularly in non-Hindi speaking areas and award of scholarships for post-matric studies in non-Hindi speaking States. Besides, there are other schemes for translation and publication of standard books of university level in Hindi, preparation and translation of books in Hindi and preparation and publication of encyclopedia, dictionaries, and translation of official literature and evolution of scientific and technical terminology in Hindi.
2. Various schemes for 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 the 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 field.
3. A separate programme is in operation for the development of modem Indian Languages (other than Hindi) under which grants are given to various State Governments, voluntary organisations/institutions for bringing out suitable publications e.g. encyclopaedias, bilingual dictionaries, books of knowledge and books bringing out similarities among different languages.
4. The fourth Five Year Plan envisages an outlay of Rs. 12 crore in the Central Sector, for schemes relating to development of Hindi, Sanskrit and modern Indian languages. In addition to the existing programmes several new schemes are proposed to be undertaken.
118
119
A. PROPAGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI
1. PROPAGATION OF HINDI 5. Assistance to Voluntary Organisations.-The scheme provides for financial assistance to voluntary Hindi organisations, for running of Hindi teaching classes in non-Hindi speaking States, training and appointment of Hindi Pracharaks, setting up of Hindi libraries and reading rooms, preparation of bilingual dictionaries, running of Hindi typewriting and short-hand classes, meeting of deficit in expenditure of Hindi medium schools in non-Hindi States, etc. The quantum of grant admissible under the scheme is 75 per cent of the expenditure on approved activities. Against a budget provision of Rs. 15 lakh for 1965-66 grants totalling Rs. 11 lakh have been so far sanctioned to voluntary organisations mainly in non-Hindi speaking States.
6. Hindi Teachers' Training Colleges in Non-Hindi Speaking States.In order to enable the Governments of non-Hindi speaking States to have an adequate number of properly qualified Hindi teachers, they are being given financial assistance on 100 per cent basis for setting up Hindi Teachers' Training Colleges. Up to 1964-65, nine such colleges in Kerala, Gujarat, Madras and West Bengal, two in Andhra Pradesh and three in Mysore had been established under this scheme. Financial assistance was also given to the Government of Maharashtra for starting 10 training centres which are attached to the Basic Teachers' Training Institutes. Two new colleges, one each in Assam and Orissa, have been sanctioned during this year. An expenditure of Rs. 10 lakh is likely to be incurred on the opening of new colleges and the maintenance of the existing ones during 1965-66.
7. Appointment of Hindi Teachers.-Under this scheme 100 per cent assistance is given to Governments of non-Hindi speaking States for appointment of Hindi teachers in primary, middle and high and higher secondary schools. Grants amounting to Rs. 100 lakh are likely to be released during 1965-66 for the implementation of the scheme. The scheme is proposed to be continued in the fourth Five Year Plan. The assistance will however be given only for appointment of new teachers in the fourth plan.
8. Kendriya Hindi Shikshana Mandal, Agra.-For making available up-to-date expert knowledge and professional guidance in respect of teaching methods in Hindi and allied pedagogical problems, the Union Government set up in 1960 an autonomous body entitled Kendriya Hindi Shikshana Mandal. Hindi Teachers' Training and Research Institute at Agra run by the Mandal, is catering for three different courses for the training of Hindi teachers equivalent to T.T.C., B.Ed. and M.Ed. It is also conducting research on vocabulary, content of various courses and techniques of teaching Hindi with special reference to the requirements of non-Hindi States. The Institute has also taken up the programme of conducting short-term refresher courses and workshops for Hindi teachers of non-Hindi speaking States.
120
8.1. During 1965-66, 200 students are undergoing training as compared to 132 in 1964-65. Grants amounting to Rs. 6.50 lakh have been given to the Mandal for the training of teachers and various other projects launched by it. Programme for the next year also includes admission of 200 trainees, conducting of refresher courses and taking up of more research projects.
9. Free Supply of Hindi Books.-For the propagation of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States, books are purchased and supplied free of cost for distribution in schools, colleges and public libraries. Certain selected books are also purchased under the scheme and supplied to Hindi speaking States, universities and voluntary Hindi organisations. During the year under review Hindi books worth Rs. 3.80 lakh have been purchased.
10. Hindi Shiksha Samiti.-Hindi Shiksha Samiti which advises the Government on matters relating to the propagation and development of Hindi in the country met in September, 1965. The Samiti has been reconstituted with effect from 1st November, 1965.
11. Recognition of Hindi Examinations.-The work relating to preliminary consideration of the applications of voluntary Hindi organisations for recognition to their Hindi examinations is being done by Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Sanstha Sangh. The recognition accorded to Hindi examinations conducted by Bhartiya Vidyapeeth, Bombay and Bombay Hindi Sabha, Bombay was extended for a further period up to the end of 1965. In the case of other ten organisations the period has been extended up to the end of 1966. The question of extension of the period of recognition of Hindi examinations conducted by Mysore Hindi Prachar Parishat, Bangalore, Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha, Trivandrum and Hindi Vidyapeeth, Deoghar is under consideration.
12. Central Hindi Directorate and its Regional Offices.-The Central Hindi Directorate, a subordinate office set up in March, 1960, continued to work as the central agency for implementing the programmes for the propagation and development of Hindi.
12.1. The two Regional Offices at Calcutta and Madras under the administrative control of the Central Hindi Directorate continued to coordinate the programmes and served as a liasion between the Union Ministry of Education, voluntary Hindi Organisations and the State Governments. These offices kept close contact with Hindi organisations and gave guidance on the various schemes for which grants are given by the Ministry of Education.
13. Award of Prizes to Hindi Writers and Poets Belonging to non- Hindi Speaking Areas.-In order to encourage Hindi writers and poets of non-Hindi speaking areas, a scheme to award prizes was announced last year. The entries received under the scheme have been sent to reviewers for evaluation. The results are likely to be announced shortly.
121
14. Exchange Programmes.-On account of national emergency the programmes relating to seminars, lecture tours and debating teams have been curtailed.
15. Exhibition of Hindi Books.-An exhibition of scientific and technical books in Hindi was organised at Ernakulam at the time of the Silver Jublice Celebrations of the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Kerala. The exhibition was highly appreciated by the public in general and students of Hindi in particular. Another exhibition was organised at Ujjain from 23 to 25 February, 1966.
16. Fixation of Symbols in Devanagari script for Sounds Peculiar to Other Regional Languages.-A committee of linguistics was set up in 1960 to consider the peculiar sounds of various regional languages which could not be expressed through the existing symbols and letters of Devanagari script. The Committee submitted a tentative report which will facilitate the use of Devanagari script for other Indian languages. The report was circulated for eliciting comments and opinion of the public. These have been received and a final decision in the matter is likely to be taken soon.
II. DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF HINDI 17. Preparation, Translation and Publication of Standard Works of University Level.-The scheme of preparation, translation and publication of books of university level is being implemented under the auspices of the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology with the help of universities, academic institutions of the State Governments and other recognised literary institutions of all-India level. Forty two, translating agencies, including five whole-time cells, were engaged in the production of books during the year. The whole-time cells were located at : Delhi University (Mathe- matics, Zoology and Political Science), Banaras Hindu University (Physics), Education Department, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal (Chemistry), Rajasthan University (Sociology) and Ranchi University (Botany). A proposal to start a cell for Geography and Linguistics in the Ravi Shankar University, Raipur, is under consideration.
17.1. Under the scheme, 27 books have so far been published. Out of those 26 (19 translations and 7 original works) are in Hindi and one (translation) in Punjabi; these include 8 books (5 translation and 3 original works) brought out during the year. In addition, 32 books in Hindi are under print. Manuscripts of 17 books (in Hindi) are ready for publication. The translation of 102 books in Hindi has been completed, while 195 books are under translation. Work on original writings of 71 books in Hindi and translation of 56 books in different languages is in progress.
17.2. Production of Books on the Basis of 50 per cent Assistance.Assistance on 50 per cent basis is also being provided to Agra, Banaras, Delhi and Gujarat Universities and Vigyan Parishad, Allahabad for bringing out translations and original works of university level.
122
18. Preparation, Translation and Publication, of Books, in Collaboration with Publishers.-The scheme aims at bringing out scientific, technical and popular books within the easy reach of common reader in Hindi with the collaboration of publishers. Under this scheme, 1/3rd of the copies ordered to be printed are purchased by the Government. At present, the total number of approved books is 240. Out of these 20 books were published during the year, bringing the total number of published books to 34.
19. Preparation of Terminological Indices.-Under this scheme the work of preparation of Terminological Indices of selected Hindi poets and novelists was entrusted to various universities. Out of these works, four indices have been sent for printing. Manuscripts of other works have also been prepared and arrangements for their printing are being made.
20. Publications of Omnibus Volumes of the Works of Eminent Hindi Writers.-Under this scheme five works have been taken in hand with a view to making available, in a single compact volume, works of Rahim, Gang, Nagri Das, writers of Fort William College and Bhartendu period. the first three works have been completed and arrangements for their printing are being made. The other works are under preparation.
21. Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias.-To enrich Hindi lexicographical literature, dictionaries and encyclopaedias are being compiled by the Central Hindi Directorate as also by a few Hindi organisations and academic bodies. The following glossaries and dictionaries have so far been published/ compiled :
(a) Shabdarth Mimansa, containing over 350 word-groups.
(b) A Hindi-English dictionary of common words containing about 7,000 words with Roman transliteration is under print.
(c) A Glossary of Technical Terms in use in the Modern Indian Languages (based on All-India Radio news-bulletins and daily newspapers).
(d) Hindi version of Apte's "Sanskrit-English dictionary and Hindi edition of "Bhartiya Sanskriti Kosh" by the Sanskriti Kosh Mandal, Poona.
A number of new proposals for compilation of bi-lingual dictionaries, with Hindi as one of the languages and preparation of encyclopaedias and dictionaries are under consideration.
22. Hindi Encyclopaedia.-The work of preparing a 10-volume Hindi Encyclopaedia has been entrusted to the Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Varanasi. The Sabha has so far brought out five volumes of the Encyclopaedia. The sixth volume is likely to be released shortly.
23. Basic Hindi Grammar.-English version of the Basic Hindi Grammar published in 1960, is being revised. Hindi version of the grammar is expected to be published in 1966-67.
123
24. Revised and Critical Editions of Standard Hindi Works Now Out of Print.-Under this scheme Hamir Raso has been prepared and is tinder print.
25. Preparation of Primers and Readers for Foreigners.-These primers are being prepared in collaboration with the K. M. Institute of Hindi and Linguistic Studies, Agra in four parts.
26. Self-taught Books for Learning South Indian Languages Through the Medium of Hindi.-Under this scheme four bilingual primers are being prepared in collaboration with the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras. Manuscript of one Hindi-Tamil Primer has been returned to the Sabha for revision in the light of the examination made in the Central Hindi Directorate. The other three primers are under preparation.
27. Sankalan (I).-A compilation of literary pieces in regional languages together with their translations in Hindi as already published in Bhasha is under print in a book form.
27.1. Sankalan (II).-A complilation of 'Hindi Path' as serialised in Bhasha is also under preparation for publication as a book.
28. Science Manuals.-The manuscripts of primary manuals of mathematics, physics and botany have been sent to the Press. The work of manuals on mathematics, physics, botany and chemistry is in progress. The question of bringing out manuals of other subjects is under consideration of the Commission.
29. Bhasha.-As in the past, four regular issues of Bhasha a quarterly journal aiming at enriching Hindi by drawing upon various Indian languages and seeking their cooperation according to the genius of Hindi, have been brought out.
30. Standard Key-board for Hindi Type-writers and Teleprinters.- The key-board which had been finalised for Hindi-Marathi type-writer is again under review in the light of expert opinions which have been received. The key-board for Hindi teleprinter has also been finalised.
31. Standardisation of Hindi Short-hand.-As the work of morpho- phonemic analysis of various languages which has been entrusted to Deccan College, Poona and different universities is likely to take some time, it has been decided that for the time being the Hindi Shorthand Committee should concentrate on the evolution of a standard system of Hindi shorthand only. The Committee in its meeting held on 30th November, 1965 decided that all the existing systems of Hindi shorthand may be reviewed with a view to evolving a suitable system. The Committee is likely to meet again in March, 1966.
32. Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology.-The Commission was set up during 1961 to review the work so far done in the field of Scientific and Technical Terminology, to formulate the principles relating to coordination and evolution of the terminology in Hindi and other languages, to coordinate the work done by different agencies in the States
124
in the field of scientific and technical terminology and also to take up preparation of standard scientific textbooks using the new terminology approved by it, preparation of scientific and technical dictionaries and translation into Indian languages of scientific books in foreign languages. With effect from October 1, 1965 the Commission has been separated from the Central Hindi Directorate and now it functions as a separate office under the Ministry.
32.1. Terminological Work.-Science glossary (English/Hindi) Part I pertaining to seven subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Botany and Zoology) of first degree standard was published last year. The Commission took up the work of coining the terms of the remaining science subjects this year and the Hindi equivalents of about 8,000 words have been finalised. Hindi equivalents of 5,000 words pertaining to Medicine and 8,000 words pertaining to Agriculture have also been finalised during the year. Sufficient progress has been made this Year for coining terms in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences and Hindi equivalents of 18,000 words have been finalised so far. In all, Hindi equivalents of 39,000 words were approved. This work was completed in 18 meetings in 10 seminars consisting of specialists of different subjects which were organised during the year. The terminology work in linguistics, literary criticism, fine arts and library science is also in progress. In linguistics, 13,000 terms have been finalised.
32.2. Sufficient progress was made in the formation and coining of terminology pertaining to Civil Engineering. A Seminar was held at Mussoorie this year for finalising these terms.
32.3. The work on English/Hindi Glossaries pertaining to Mathematics, Physics, Post-Graduate Agriculture, Medicine, Social Sciences, Humanities and Hindi/English version of Science Glossary Part I is nearing printing stage.
33. Translation of Manuals, Rules, Forms etc.-In pursuance of the Presidential Order dated 27th April, 1960 the Central Hindi Directorate continued to translate forms, manuals, rules and other procedural literature of non-statutory nature in Hindi. From April to January, 1966 Hindi translation of 123 manuals etc. comprising 3,410 pages and that of 2,347 forms was sent to the various Ministries and Departments after finalisation. In addition, 16 manuals, etc. and 1,100 forms translated by various Ministries and Departments were vetted in the Directorate.