LANGUAGES

6.1 Languages being Central to Education, their development has got a pivotal place in the National Policy on Education. Therefore, promotion and development of Hindi and other 14 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 was given due attention. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Department is assisted by a number of autonomous organisations and subordinate offices, namely, Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Agra with its 5 centres, Rashatriya Sanskrit Sansthan with its 6 Vidyapeethas, Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) Mysore with its 5 regional centres and 2 Urdu Training Research Centres, Central Hindi Directorate (CHD), New Delhi, Commission for scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), New Delhi and Bureau for Promotion of Urdu (BPU), New Delhi.

6.2 Review

6.2.1 For promotion, propagation and development of Hindi, Modern Indian Languages, and Classical Languages including Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic, various schemes and programmes were implemented during VII Plan Period (1980-85) and thereafter. The major activities were financial assistance to the State Governments and voluntary organisations for appointment and training of Hindi teachers in non- Hindi speaking States/UTs. Besides this, financial assistance was also provided to NonGovernmental organisations.

6.2.2 Keeping in view the importance of Urdu, the

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implementation of recommendations of Gujral Committee for Promotion of Urdu received special emphasis. A Committee of Experts (Jafri Committee) was set up by the Government for the purpose. The Committee submitted its report in 1990, which is under examination. In spite of persistent demand from Sindhi speaking community, Sindhi Vikas Board could not be established due to resource crunch. However, Sindhi Advisory Committee continued to function. It is proposed to establish the Board during the VIII Plan.

6.2.3 As regards Sanskrit and other classical languages, besides strengthening and developing existing institutions, a few new schemes like setting up of National Level Body for maintaining, coordinating and improving the standards of teaching classical languages, are proposed to be taken up. Besides, two deemed to be Universities of Sanskrit one at New Delhi and other at Tirupati are to be strengthened and developed. 6.2.4 Under the existing schemes of "Appointment and Training of Hindi Teachers" about 15,000 teachers have so far been appointed and 31 Hindi Teachers Training Colleges are being supported. Five thousand Hindi Teachers are to be appointed during the VIII Plan and about 2000 are to be trained. Similarly, under the scheme for assistance to NGOs for development and promotion of Indian Languages, about 1000 organisations are receiving assistance. The number of such organisations and level of assistance would increase during the VIII Plan. Ever since the formulation of National Policy on Education, 1986, it is felt that the following areas of language development merit special attention during the VIII Plan period

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also :

i) More energetic and vigorous implementation of schemes and programmes for development of Hindi, Modern Indian Languages, English as well as International Languages, Sanskrit and other classical languages.

ii) Strengthening of existing language Institutions. The KHS, Agra needs strengthening with a view to increasing its capacity for training of language teachers.

iii) With a view to facilitating implementation of the Three Language Formula, 100% financial assistance is proposed for appointment and training of Modern Indian Languages teachers on the pattern of the scheme of appointment and training of Hindi teachers in non-Hindi speaking States/UTs. Similarly, a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme is to be started for appointment of Urdu teachers by the State Governments/UT Administrations for imparting instructions in mother tongue to Urdu Linguistic minority.

iv) CIIL is to be converted into an autonomous organisation and given enhanced allocation for training of Modern Indian Languages teachers, creating central Translation Bureau and development of Tribal. Languages.

v) As recommended by the Committee of Experts (Jafri Committee), BPU is to be accorded an autonomous status.

vi) Creating of Sindhi Vikas Board. Planning Commission has already approved the proposal. In view of the fact that Sindhi is a stateless language, the Central

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Government is required to set tip the Board.

vii) Setting up of International Hindi University. In this regard, an Assurance was given to Parliament to set up an International Hindi University.

viii) Restructuring/reorganisation of Kendriya Hindi Sansthan as a demand to be University. Proposal to give status of "Deemed to be University" to the Sansthan, is already under consideration.

ix) Collaboration with Department of Electronics in their Project "Technological Development in Indian Language".

x) Improvement in English Language Teaching in school system. Regional Institutes of English, English Language Teaching Institutes and District Centres are to be provided enhanced support with a view to enable them to increase intake of English Language Teacher for training and orientation. English Proficiency Tests (TEP - 10 and TEP - 12) are to be implemented. English 400 scheme of Central Institute of English and Foreign Language is to be implemented.

xi) More involvement of Voluntary orqanisations in promotion and development of Indian Languages. The Level of assistance is to be increased from 75% to 85%. More NGOs are to be involved.

xii) Setting up of a National level body for maintaining, coordinating and improving teaching of Sanskrit and other classical languages like Arabic, Persian etc.

xiii) Development of the two 'Deemed to be Universities' for Sanskrit-New Delhi and Tirupati.

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xiv) Creating a National Sanskrit Library as recommended by the Central, Sanskrit Board.

xv) Strengthening of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi for conducting its academic programmes as well as implementing the schemes for promotion and development of Sanskrit since transferred to the Sansthan from the Department. Two Vidyapeethas to be opened every year.

Details of Schemes for VIII Plan (1992-97)

6.3 Promotion of Hindi

Continuing schemes

Appointment of Hindi Teachers in non-Hindi speaking States/Union Territories and their Training

6.3.1 This is a centrally sponsored scheme. Under this scheme, 100% financial assistance is made available to the non-Hindi speaking States/UTs. for meeting the expenditure on appointment of Hindi teachers in the schools. The non-Hindi speaking States especially the States in the North-Eastern region are taking keen interest in this scheme for development and promotion of Hindi. Provision is also to be made during VIII Plan for opening of Hindi Teachers Training Colleges in non-Hindi speaking States/UTs for this purpose, 100% financial assistance is given to non-Hindi speaking States/UTs for opening of Hindi teachers' training colleges have been established in non-Hindi speaking States/UTs.

6.3.2 Rs.15.00 crores are required for the scheme during VIII Plan as per details attached.

Grants to Voluntary organisations working in the field of Hindi including D.B.H.P.S. and Publication

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6.3.3 The scheme of Financial assistance to voluntary Hindi Organisations for promotion of Hindi in the non-Hindi speaking States/UTs is continuing since the first Five Year Plan. The objectives of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to voluntary organisations working for the promotion of Hindi in Non- Hindi speaking States/UTs. Grants is given upto 75% of the approved expenditure on such activities as running Hindi classes, Hindi libraries and running typing/shorthand classes in Hindi. Voluntary organisations have been taking keen interest in the implementation of the scheme and also showing generally good results. The demand for financial support has been growing and the amount made available in the budget earlier has been found to be insufficient.

6.3.4 Apart from this, Financial assistance for publication in Hindi is also to be given to voluntary organisations and individuals. Besides, grants-in-aid for publication, financial assistance by way of bulk purchase of Hindi books is also available to the voluntary organisations/institutions and individual under the scheme.

6.3.5 Rs. 10.00 crores are required for VIII Plan as per statement enclosed.

Propagation of Hindi Abroad

6.3.6 The scheme was formulated and approved in the 4th Five Year Plan and has been continuing since then. Under the scheme approximately 50 scholarships are awarded every year to foreign national for study of Hindi at Central Institute of Hindi, Delhi. Besides, Hindi books are supplied to Indian Missions/ Embassies abroad for adding to their Libraries and for distribution to

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Universities, schools, libraries etc. There has been considerable pressure for increasing the number of scholarships awarded to foreign nationals for a study of Hindi.

The demand for VIII Plan is Rs. 1.50 crores.

Central Hindi Directorate

6.3.7 The Directorate runs the following schemes

i) Publication

ii) Correspondence Courses

iii) Propagation of Hindi through Cassettes

iv) Award of prizes to Hindi writers of non-Hindi areas

v) Extension Programmes and Services

vi) Survey of spoken Hindi as official languages.

The main item under publication is the printing of bilingual dictionaries. Another item for major expenditure of approximately Rs.10.00 lakhs is free distribution of Hindi Books. The compilation and printing of 17 bilingual and 24 trilingual dictionaries have been taken up. Rs. 4.50 crores are required for the Plan period.

Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology

6.3.8 This organisation is mainly involved in coining and publishing Scientific and Technical Terminology, subjectwise glossaries of Pan Indian terms etc. The demand for the entire Plan period is Rs. 1.50 crores.

Kendriya Hindi Shikshan Mandal, Agra

6.3.9 During 8th Five Year Plan, it is proposed to continue the following ongoing items (schemes) and start some new items as mentioned below :-

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Ongoing Items

a) Preparation of teaching materials including audiovisuals for various categories of learners;

b) Strengthening of existing centres of the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan;

c) Expansion of correspondence courses for Hindi Teachers;

d) Augumentation of Teacher Training Courses

e) Scheme of preparation of graded Readers for NorthEastern States and UTs.

f) Scheme for training and research in functional Hindi; and

g) Scheme for faculty improvement.

New Items

a) Development of model curricula for training of Teachers of Hindi at different levels; and

b) Short-term courses for in-service Hindi Teachers. The Plan proposals for VIII Plan are Rs. 5.00 crores.

New-Scheme (Hindi)

6.3.10 Scheme for establishment of Vishwa Hindi Vidyapeeth (an international Hindi University) was recommended in the three World Hindi Conference and proposals received from the Rashtra Bhasha Prachar Samiti, Wardha. The main objectives of establishing such a Vidyapeeth intended to be promote Hindi as an international language, to organise teaching, training and research in Hindi language and literature, to introduce Hindi language and literature as a competent vehicle of Indian social system, philosophy and culture to develop Hindi as a link between

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diverse cultural system of India and other countries, to conduct research in various related areas and to act as a clearing house for information related to Hindi study and award degrees/diplomas and also to promote excellence in research in Hindi. It is proposed to provide for Rs.0.50 crores in VIII Plan.

6.4 Modern Indian Languages

Teachers (Other than Hindi) in Hindi Speaking States Appointment and Training of Modern Indian Language

6.4.1 During the Seventh Five Year Plan a proposal was initiated regarding the formulation/inplementation of the Scheme for the Appointment and Training of Modern Indian Language Teachers in the Hindi Speaking States. The scheme was envisaged as a noval major thrust for the effective implementation of the three language formula, for the promotion of national integration and for the creation of a conducive atmosphere for reciprocal development of Hindi as a link language. The scheme envisages 100% Central financial assistance for appointment of MIL teachers in the Hindi speaking States. The scheme could not be sanctioned in the VIIth Plan. It is proposed to take it up in the ensuing Plan.

6.4.2 The provision under the Three Language Formula for the Hindi speaking States as stated in the National Policy on Education 1968 and as further emphasised in the New Education Policy 1986 mentions that the third language should be preferably one the south Indian languages.

6.4.3 The scheme will. help achieve effectively national integration, will create a healthy atmosphere for reciprocal

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development of Hindi as a link language and will provide avenues of employment to graduates for teaching a third language and will thereby mitigate to some extent the socioeconomic problems of unemployed graduates.

6.4.4 A token contribution of Rs. 5.00 crores is proposed for the purpose.

Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore

6.4.5 Continuation and strengthening of existing scheme of 7th Plan for research, training, material production. Main focus of Programme in the 7th Plan was on development of languages under use in education, improvement. of competencies in modern Indian languages, support to the production of materials and training of teachers of the third language instruction, adult literacy, testing and evaluation, lexicography and translation. These programmes are required to be continued in the 8th Five Year Plan. In brief the schemes are as follows :-

i) Preparation of third language materials for implementation on Three Language Formula.

ii) Preparation of model first language materials, teaching aids and reference materials.

iii) Development of proficiency tests in Indian languages at two levels, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.

iv) Lexicographic studies, lexical survey and preparation of dictionaries for users such as language learners, translators and definitional dictionaries for Indian languages.

v) Schemes of Regional Language Centres.

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Continuation and strengthening of existing schemes of 7th Plan for training, material production and research.

6.4.6 The major activity of the Regional Language Centres during the 7th Plan was to increase the number of trained teachers for teaching a modern Indian language as a third language particularly in Hindi States. The other works were production of teaching materials for this purpose, giving refresher courses to the teacher already trained and conducting integration camps for the students learning MIL as a third language. These will be strengthened and continued during the 8th Plan.

6.4.7 A provision of Rs. 5.00 crores is proposed for VIII Plan.

Taraqi-e-Urdu Board and Gujral Committee

6.4.8 The programmes undertaken by the Bureau for Promotion of Urdu include publication of books, evolving Urdu technical terms bringing out glossaries, compilation of Urdu encyclopaedia, preparation and publication of English-Urdu and Urdu-English dictionaries, Urdu calligraphy training centres, implementation of the recommendations of Gujral Committee for Promotion of Urdu etc. A provision of Rs.3.00 crores is required for the purpose.

Financial assistance for publication and other activities in Indian Languages

6.4.9 This scheme was introduced during 1985-86. The following Languages are covered under this scheme.

i) Modern Indian Languages (other than Hindi, Urdu, Sindhi)

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ii) Urdu

iii) Sindhi.

This scheme provided for limited assistance to voluntary organisations in respect of certain select programmes such as Publications, maintenance support, conferences, scholarly periodicals, teaching of languages and short-term studies. This scheme applies to Indian Languages other than Hindi and Sanskrit.