DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI, SANSKRIT
 AND MODERN INDIAN LANGUAGES

Under Article 351 of the Constitution, it is the duty of the Union Government to promote the spread of Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India and to secure its enrichment by assimilating without interfering with its genius, the form, styles and expressions used in other languages of India, as specified in the Eighth Schedule, and by drawing, wherever necessary or desirable, for its vocabulary primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages. The Constitution also guarantees protection of the interests of linguistic minorities by giving them the right to conserve their language and culture. These Constitutional obligations devolve on the Union Ministry of Education heavy responsibility for developing and promoting Hindi along with Sanskrit and other Indian languages.

2. To carry out these responsibilities, the Union Ministry of Education has launched several programmes. Significant among these, to mention a few, are: grant of financial assistance to voluntary Hindi, Sanskrit and other literary organisations; maintenance of an institute of research and training of Hindi teachers; Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and a few language-cum-cultural organisations; translation and publication of standard books of university level in Hindi and, other regional languages; preparation and publication of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, primers and readers, translation of official literature and evolution of scientific and technical terminology in Hindi. For propagating Hindi in the non-Hindi speaking States, there are schemes which envisage the appointment of Hindi teachers in schools, establishment of Hindi teacher training colleges, supply of free Hindi books to school and college libraries, award of scholarships for post-matric studies, etc. While some of these programmes are implemented directly by the Union Ministry of Education, others are implemented by its two subordinate offices, viz., the Central Hindi

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Directorate and the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology.

3. The fourth Plan envisages a total outlay of Rs. 10.90 crore in the Central sector for schemes relating to development of Hindi, Sanskrit and Modem Indian Languages. Out of this, Rs. 7.60 crore is for Hindi, Rs. 2.30 crore for Sanskrit and Rs. 1.00 crore for Modern Indian Languages.

A. PROPAGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI

4. Assistance to Voluntary Organisation :

The scheme provides for financial assistance to voluntary organisations for running Hindi teaching classes in non-Hindi speaking States, Hindi typewriting and shorthand classes, training and appointment of Hindi 'Pracharaks', setting up of Hindi libraries, and reading rooms, preparing bilingual dictionaries, meeting the deficit in expenditure of Hindi-medium schools in non-Hindi speaking States, etc. The quantum of grant admissible under the scheme is 75 per cent of the expenditure on approved activities. Nearly, the whole of the budget provision of Rs. 12 lakh for 1966-67 has been sanctioned to appropriate voluntary organisations. A budget provision of Rs. 12 lakh has been approved for 1967-68.

5. Hindi Teacher 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, financial assistance is given to them on a 100 per cent basis for setting up Hindi teacher training colleges. The scheme was started during the second Plan and up to the end of the third Plan, three colleges each in Mysore and Andhra Pradesh and one each in Gujarat, Kerala, Madras, Orissa and West Bengal had been established. Financial assistance was also given to the Government of Maharashtra for starting shorter-term training centres which are attached to Basic teacher training institutes. Two new colleges, one each in Assam, and Kerala, have also been sanctioned. The question of opening such colleges in Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland is under negotiation with the State Governments. Grants amounting to Rs. 10 lakh are being released to the State Governments during 1966-67. A budget provision of Rs. 12 lakh has been approved for 1967-68.

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6. Appointment of Hindi Teachers:

The scheme provides for giving 100 per cent financial assistance to the Governments of non- Hindi speaking States for the appointment of Hindi teachers in their schools. During the third Plan the State Governments were assisted to the extent of meeting the entire cost on the appointment of Hindi teachers in primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools. During the fourth Plan, however, the Central assistance will be restricted to the fresh appointments made in high and higher secondary schools only. Grants totalling to Rs. 52 lakh are likely to be paid to the State Governments during 1966-67. A budget provision of Rs. 60 lakh has been approved for the year 1967-68.

7. 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 called Kendriya Hindi Shikshana Mandal. The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, run by the Mandal is offering three different course for the training of Hindi teachers equivalent to T.T.C. B. Ed. and M. Ed. It is also conducting research in vocabulary content of various courses and techniques of teaching Hindi with special reference to the requirements of non-Hindi States. During the current academic session, 204 candidates are undergoing training at the Sansthan,

8. Besides, the Institute also conducts short-term refresher courses for the training of Hindi teachers. One hundred and one teachers deputed, by the Governments and the voluntary organisations of non-Hindi speaking States attended the refresher courses held in June, 1966 at Almora.

9. Grants totalling Rs. 6.33 lakh were released to the Mandal during 1966-67. A budget provision of Rs. 6.20 lakh has been approved for the Mandal for 1967-68.

10. Hindi Shiksha Samiti :

The Hindi Shiksha, which has been set up to advise the Government of India on matters relating to the propagation and development of Hindi, held two meetings during the year and considered matters relating to the propagation of Hindi, development of Hindi and Hindi teaching and examinations.

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11. Recognition of Hindi Examination :

The recognition accorded by the Government of India to various Hindi examinations in 1960 was extended up to December, 1966. The question of further extension is under consideration.

12, Hindi Encyclopaedia:

The work of preparing a 10volume Hindi Encyclopaedia has been entrusted to the Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Varanasi. The Sabha has so far brought out seven volumes of the Encyclopaedia. The eighth volume is likely to be released shortly.

COMMISSION FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY

13. The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology was set up in 1961 (i) to, review the work done so far in the field of scientific and technical terminology; (ii) to formulate principles relating to coordination and evolution of scientific and technical terminology in Hindi and other languages; (iii) to coordinate the work done by the different agencies in the States in the field of scientific and technical terminology; and (iv) to prepare standard scientific textbooks using the new terminology evolved. Later on the work of terminology, translation, etc., in the subjects of social sciences and the humanities was also entrusted to the Commission.

14. Terminological Work:

In January, 1965, Science Glossary, Volume I, which contains over 40,000 terms of the first degree standard in 7 subjects, namely, physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, geography, botany and zoology, was published. The glossaries of 5,000 administrative and designational terms were also published in January, 1965. The Commission is now engaged, in evolving the postgraduate terminology in the above subjects. Besides, considerable progress has been made in the evolution of terminology of first degree standard in agriculture, medicine, anthropology, engineering and the subjects of humanities and social sciences. During the period under report, over 24,000 terms were evolved and over 25,000 terms were finalised in various subjects of science and humanities. The Hindi- English version of Science Glossary I has also been prepared and is under review for publication, Departmental terminology in Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Transport and Shipping, Tourism, etc., is being compiled. A good deal of terminology in Defence and Post and Telegraph also has

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been completed. Revised and consolidated glossary of administrative and designational terms has also been prepared and is ready for press.

15. Dictionaries and Manuals:

Elementary definitional dictionaries in five subjects, physics, chemistry, mathematics, botany and agriculture have been prepared and sent to press. Dictionaries in zoology, statistics and in other subjects are in progress. The dictionaries of physics and botany are expected to be published shortly.

16. The Commission has already published five standard manuals on chemistry, botany, medicine, education, psychology and zoology. The manuals on agriculture and physics are in the press. The manual on commerce is under review. During the period under report, manuals of civics and mathematics were completed and are ready for the press.

17. Translation and Publication of Standard Works :

The scheme relating to translation and publication of standard works of university level into Hindi and other regional languages is being implemented with the help of universities, academic bodies. and the State Governments. The Commission has opened 5 whole-time Book Production Cells at the Delhi University (Mathematics, Zoology and Political Science), Bhopal (Chemistry), Banaras Hindu University (Physics), Rajasthan University (Sociology), and Ranchi University (Botany) for original writings. During the year, 29 standard works were brought out. Besides these, there are 44 translating agencies participating under this scheme.

18. So far, 779 books have been approved by the Commission for translation.Out of these, 380 books have, been under taken for translation in Hindi.

19. The Commission has launched another scheme for the translation and publication of standard works in collaboration with publishers to give impetus to the production of scientific and technical books. Under this scheme, approved books are got translated and published by the publishers, and the Commission, purchases one- third of the total number of copies of these books. During the year, 8 standard works were brought out.

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CENTRAL HINDI DIRECTORATE

20. In pursuance of the decision of the Government off India to promote and propagate Hindi, the Central Hindi Directorate, was established on 1st March, 1960. The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology was set up in the Central Hindi Directorate in December, 1961. The bifurcation of the Directorate and the Commission took place on 1st October 1965.

21. Translation of Manuals, Forms, Rules and Regulations etc. into Hindi :

In accordance with the Presidential Order of April 27, 1960, the Directorate is entrusted with the work of translating into Hindi all non-statutory manuals, rules, regulations, forms, etc. By March, 1967, 169 manuals, rules etc., comprising nearly 6,571 printed pages and about 1,417 forms have been translated and 15 manuals and 370 forms have been vetted.

22. Model Hindi Readers for Non-Hindi Speaking Areas:

Out of 4 model Hindi readers, one each for Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam speaking areas, the manuscripts of two for Tamil and Telugu- have been completed.

23. Hindi Primers for Foreigners:

Out of 4 graded books, designed on the modern linguistic and teaching technique, to teach Hindi particularly to the visiting foreigners and foreign students, the manuscripts of 2 books, along with a desk book of script, have been completed so far and arrangements are being made for their publication.

24. Bilingual Self-Taught Primers for Learning South Indian Languages:

Out of the four self-taught books (Hindi-Telugu, Hindi- Tamil, Hindi-Kannada and Hindi-Malayalam), the manuscript of Hindi- Tamil self-taught has been completed and is in the press.

25. Compilation of Dictionaries and Grammars :

(i) Revised Edition of Hindi Shabda Sagar: Volume I has been published, Volume II has also been prepared and is under print.

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(ii) Apte's Sanskrit Dictionary : A Hindi translation of the above dictionary has been brought out through a private publisher.

(iii) Hindi Vishwa Kosh: Seven volumes of this encyclopaedia have so far been published.

(iv) Hindi-Marathi and Marathi-Hindi Dictionaries: Hindi Marathi Dictionary, comprising 70,000 words, has been prepared and published. Marathi-Hindi dictionary has also been prepared and is under print.

(v) Hindi Edition of Bhartiya Sanskrit Kosh : The dictionary is being prepared and is expected to be completed soon

(vi) Hindi-English Dictionary : A Hindi-English Dictionary of common words with 7,000 entries has been prepared, printed and is available for sale.

(vii) Standard English-Hindi Dictionary : The dictionary is under preparation.

(viii) A glossary of technical terms used in modern Indian languages on the basis of the dailies and All India Radio news broadcasts has been prepared and steps are being taken for its printing.

(ix) Basic Hindi Grammar: The revised and enlarged edition of grammar, published in 1958 in English is being prepared. Thereafter a Hindi edition will also be prepared.

26. In addition, some new schemes covering compilation of undermentioned dictionaries have been drawn up: (i) English-Hindi dictionary, (ii) Enlarged edition of Hindi-English dictionary of common words, (iii) Revised edition of glossaries of words common to Hindi and other Indian languages, (iv) Dictionary of Hindi usage, (v) Bilingual dictionaries of Hindi and other Indian languages, and (vi) the preparation of bilingual comparative grammars.

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27. Extension Programmes:

The following seminars etc. were conducted during the year:

(i) A symposium of Hindi writers of non-Hindi areas at New Delhi in November, 1966.

(ii) A seminar of Hindi teachers at Hyderabad from 1st to 10th February, 1967.

(iii) A workshop for imparting training to non-Hindi speaking beginners in writing of prose and poetry in Hindi at Jaipur from February 27 to March 8, 1967.

28. Preparation of Terminological Indices:

Under the Scheme, indices of Saket, Kamayani, works of Shridhar Pathak and Priya Pravas have been prepared and sent to the press. The Panjab University has been requested to publish the manuscripts of the indices of Godan at their own cost. A similar assignment has been given to Allahabad University for printing the indices of Beesaldev Raso and the works of Kabir.

29. Publication of Omnibus Volumes:

Omnibus volumes of the works of Rahim, Gang and Nagri Das have been prepared. Omnibus volumes of the works of the Fort William College writers including the, works of Ram Prasad Niranjani have also been prepared.

30. Revised and Critical Edition of Standard Hindi Works:

The manuscripts of Hamir Raso has been prepared and arrangements are being made for its printing

31. Hindi Shorthand:

Morpho-phonemic analysis of the regional languages has been undertaken in connection with evolution of a system of Hindi shorthand. Analysis of Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi and Oriya languages has been done. Estimates for their printing invited from the Deccan College, Poona, are being examined.

32. Devanagari Script Reforms:

A number of steps have been taken to standardise the use of Devanagari script for various purposes. These include the following:

(i) Key-board of standard and portable Hindi type-writers has been finalised.

(ii) Key-board of Hindi teleprinter has been finalised.

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(iii) The Expert Committee set up by Government of India has finalised the work of evolving diacritical marks for facilitating expression of the peculiar sounds in regional languages.

(iv) A new scheme known as 'Select Writings in Diglot Form has been drawn up for the promotion of Devanagari script.

(v) Analysis of tribal dialects of Manipur and Tripura has been undertaken.

33. Bhasha Quarterly:

A quarterly journal devoted to the, problems of languages and literature has been continuously published every quarter beginning with August, 1961. So far, 23 numbers have been brought out including two special numbers.

34. Purchase and Free Distribution of Books in Non-Hindi Areas:

Under the scheme, 47,900 copies of 73 books and 5,830 copies of various issues of 17 periodicals were purchased for free distribution in non-Hindi areas during the period under review.

Under a subsidiary scheme, 8,000 copies of 19 books were purchased for free distribution to educational institutions and public libraries in non-Hindi areas.