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 fourteen languages listed in the Schedule VIII 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 an infrastructure consisting of a number of autonomous organisations and subordinate offices, namely Kendriya Hindi Shikshan Mandal, Agra, who runs the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Agra, with its five centres; Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (RSS), New Delhi with its eight Vidyapeethas; Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore with its four Regional Centres and two Urdu Training and Research Centres; Central Hindi Directorate (CHD), New Delhi; Commission for Scientific and 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 are some of the important activities pertaining to promotion and development of languages undertaken during 1991-92.
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 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/societies/trusts as well as individuals for bringing out publications with a view to promoting and propagating Hindi. Assistance is provided at the rate of 80 per cent of the total cost estimates.
Central Hindi Directorate (CHD) 12.2.2 The Directorate is compiling thirteen Hindi and thirteen regional languages based bilingual dictionaries. So far thirteen dictionaries, viz., Hindi-Assamese, Hindi-Gujarati, Hindi-Kashmiri, Hindi-Marathi, Hindi-Malayalam, Hindi-Oriya, Hindi-Sindhi, Hindi- Tamil, Hindi-Telugu, Hindi-Urdu, 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' besides compiling "Bharatiya Bhasha Parichay Kosh".
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Under cultural exchange programme, Czech-Hindi and German-Hindi (Vol.I & II) dictionaries have been published. Under the UN Languages 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.
12.2.3 The Directorate also brings out Hindi journals like "Unesco Doot" (Hindi version of the English Magazine entitled "Unesco Courier"), "Bhasha" (quarterly), "Varshiki" (annually) and "Sahityamala" (books on Indian languages and Literature).
12.2.4 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 likely to be around 15,000. Some records and cassettes have also been prepared as the devices for students. Personal Contact Programmes are organised for removing the difficulties of the students.
12.2.5 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.
12.2.6 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.
Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) 12.2.7 The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) 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.
12.2.8 Second editions of Agriculture, Medicine and Defence Glossaries are under print.
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Terminology 12.2.9 More than five lakh scientific and technical terms have so far been evolved and published by the Commission. it has also brought out glossaries in Space Science, Computer Science, Metallurgy and Printing Technology. "Consolidated Glossary of Administrative Terms" (Computer Data-based), and "Comprehensive Glossary of Sciences" have also been published. During the year, more than 50,000 technical terms were finalised for use by respective organisations/departments. Financial assistance and technical advice were rendered to State Language Academies for evolution of terminology in regional languages.
Definitional Dictionaries 12.2.10 The CSTT has brought out thirty-eight definitional dictionaries so far. Three such dictionaries are under print and ten under preparation. A "Comprehensive Definitional Dictionary of Social Sciences" is also under preparation.
Pan-Indian Terminology 12.2.11 So far, thirteen Pan-Indian glossaries have been published for free distribution amongst scholars, writers, translators and journalists. Seven Pan-Indian Glossaries are under preparation.
University Level Book Production and Quarterly Journal 12.2.12 The CSTT has brought out, in collaboration with the Hindi Granth Academies, State Text-Book Boards and University Cells, 9,377 University level books in Hindi and regional languages. The Commission has also produced 362 books in the field of engineering, medicine and agriculture. The CSTT also brings out a quarterly journal "Vigyan Garima Sindhu".
Terminology orientation Workshop 12.2.13 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 227 University/ College teachers have received terminology orientation.
Computerisation of Terminology 12.2.14 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, so far 2.5 lakh technical terms have been fed into the Database.
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Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS) 12.2.15 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.
12.2.16 A full-fledged academic course for teaching Hindi to foreigners is being conducted by the Sansthan under the scheme of "Propagation of Hindi Abroad". During the current year, the Government of India has awarded scholarships to fifty students from various foreign countries.
12.2.17 Under the scheme entitled "Hindi Sevi Samman Yojna" instituted on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Sansthan awards were given to individuals 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.
Promotion and Development of Modern Indian Languages (MIL)
Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore 12.3.1 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 four Regional Language Centres and two Urdu Training Research Centres. Around Two hundred teachers have joined the correspondence courses in Tamil and Bengali being conducted on an experimental basis. To develop proficiency tests in languages for measurement of language competency, Institute has prepared test items in seven languages, while preparation of tests in other languages is in progress.
12.3.2 The Institute has also prepared grammar, dictionaries and primers in many tribal and border languages, besides publishing a number of books in tribal languages.
12.3.3 Financial assistance is being provided to voluntary organisations as well as individuals for bringing out publications with a view to promoting and propagating modern Indian languages. Similarly, voluntary organisations engaged in promotional activities in various Modern Indian Languages also receive Central assistance.
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Taraqqi-e-Urdu Board 12.3.4 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.
12.3.5 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 nine subjects were published.
Work on publication of Urdu Encyclopaedia in twelve volumes and English-Urdu dictionary in five volumes is in progress.
Half-yearly research journal called "Fikr-e-Tahqeeq" being published.
Financial assistance is being given to thirty-eight Calligraphy Training Centres all over India. Out of these, seven are exclusively meant for ladies.
Three Book Exhibitions were organized.
Urdu translation of NCERT textbooks.
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 14 recognised institutions for language promotional activities.
Forty-two thousand bibliography cards prepared.
Committee to examine implementation of recommendations of Gujral
Committee for Promotion of Urdu 12.3.6 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 being processed in consultation with concerned Departments.
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Promotion of Sindhi 12.3.7 Sindhi Advisory Committee continued to function during the year and tendered necessary advice in the matter.
12.3.8 Sindhi Vikas Board could not be set up due to the resource crunch.
12.3.9 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. Equivalents of 5000 technical terms are expected to be evolved.
Improvement of English Language Teaching 12.4.0 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 Language (CIEFL) for the setting up of at least one district centre for English language in each State. So far, twenty-six 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.
Promotion of Sanskrit and Other Classical Languages 12.5.1 Presentation, conservation, development and propagation of Indian cultural heritage and its appreciation for promotion of national integration has always been emphasised in the developmental programmes and policies of the Government of India. In order to achieve these objectives, a variety of programmes have been formulated and implemented for the development and promotion of Sanskrit language in education and higher learning. Programmes have also been implemented for the development of Arabic and Persian languages. During the period under report, following developmental programmes were implemented:-
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi 12.5.2 The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan is an autonomous organisation set up in 1970 for preservation and propagation of Sanskrit, publication and preservation of manuscripts and for organising training activities and development of Sanskrit learning and research. It has six constituent Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeethas at Allahabad, Guruvayoor, Jaipur, Jammu, Lucknow and Puri. It has also affiliated fifty-one private Sanskrit institutions for the purpose of examination.
12.5.3 The Sansthan has also undertaken the following programmes: (i) utilization of services of eminent elderly Sanskrit Scholars, (ii) special orientation courses, (iii)
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Purchase of Sanskrit Books, (iv) Production of Sanskrit Literature, (v) Deccan College, (vi) Award of Scholarships, (vii) Purchase and publications of rare Manuscripts and (viii) Presidential Award of certificate of Honour to Sanskrit, Arabic & Persian Scholars (payment to scholars only) - Selection of award is done in the ministry by Preliminary Selection Committee. These schemes were previously operated in the Ministry, but have been transferred to the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan.
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Sanskrit Organisations/ Adarsh
Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas/Shodh Sansthans 12.5.4 Under this scheme, voluntary Sanskrit organisations/ institutions are given recurring and non-recurring grants for meeting expenditure on salary of teachers, scholarships to students, and repair of building, furniture, library books etc. Seventy-five per cent of the approved expenditure is provided by the Government whereas 25% is met by the organisations. In the case of Vedic institutions where oral Vedic tradition is being preserved, Government grant covers 95% of the total approved expenditure. About six hundred Sanskrit organisations in the country were benefited under this scheme.
12.5.5 Some 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 of approved expenditure. So far fourteen post-graduate Sanskrit teaching institutions and two post-graduate research institutions have been brought under the purview of this scheme. Four are in Bihar (Lagma, Deograh, Kolhanta and Hulasganj), three in Uttar Pradesh (Varindaban, Haridwar and Mainpuri), three in Tamil Nadu (two at Mylapore and one at Kancheepuram), two in Haryana (Ambala and Bhagola(Palwal)] two in Maharashtra (Bombay and Poona), one in Kerala (Balussery), and one in Himachal Pradesh [Jangla (Rohru)].
Central Sanskrit Advisory Board/Committees 12.5.6 The Central Sanskrit Board is an advisory body to advise the Government of India on matters of policy pertaining to the propagation, promotion and development of Sanskrit in the country. It was reconstituted with effect from 1st March, 1989 for a period of three years. The reconstituted Board has met thrice on 4th July, 1989, 15th September, 1989 and 1st September, 1990.
Deemed to be Universities 12.5.7 Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati were declared Deemed to be Universities in 1987 to preserve Shastraic tradition, undertake interpretation of the Shastras, establish their relevance to the problems in the modern as well as Shastraic lore for teachers, and achieve excellence in