Jain University seeks to create a niche for Hindi Speakers

BANGALORE, India - Feb. 10, 2015 - PRLog -- It is well known that Hindi is our national language, which fills a large part of our cultural heritage and values. Jain University creates a space where thoughts and concerns that plague academics and students alike on the development of Hindi language. The university encourages student and faculty to interact with various parts of academia, by inviting inspired and illuminated individuals who challenge their perceptions.  Last year, ace writer and activist Mridula Garg was invited, and she set student minds on fire with thoughts on current issues like gender equality and her thoughts on being a writer. This year Dr. Ramprasad Saxena, renowned linguist and Retd. Professor, Nagpur University gave an eloquent address on the topic of “Bhasha ka Vyakaran”. He tackled many issues from the status of Hindi language in India to the works in Hindi literature, which lies untranslated, lost to time and space.

The celebrated author started the session with a pertinent question, what is the purpose of Hindi Divas (September 14), celebrated to honor our national language, when Indians have turned to the usage of English. “We create elaborate rituals to honour our language, but what is it we are doing to preserve its sanctity. We delegate Hindi as second language in schools, and announce that it is a patriotic reminder to all Indians of our common roots. This sends out mixed messages to the public in general.”

He went on to expose the inferiority that Hindi speakers feel, in the present scenario. “I have met students, who are brilliant in speaking in Hindi. But they carry the burden, that they aren’t really smart, unless they speak in English.”

Dr. Saxena, with his body of work in the field of translation remarked, “There is an untapped resource lying dormant in Hindi literature, if there was anybody who would take the pains to translate the nuances explored by the authors of our land. Our youth are not exposed to the beautiful poetry, and concrete prose, that will resonate with them more than works of any external author”.

With his trademark humour, his observations resonated with the audience. He went to say that,   “It is not practical to cling to old ideals, it is important that we move on to the future, by adapting to present trends. I wish that children, learn the rich history, and culture behind each one of our regional languages. It will provide them with very unique perspectives, and give them pride of being Indians”.

Dr. Mythili.P. Rao, Dean, Languages, Jain University shared her views, “It is important that we bring to limelight, those who enrich our regional language and literature. We require the guidance of learned academicians like Dr. Saxena, to bring about changes in the way Hindi is perceived by our students. The way language learning is carried out in India, is a cyclic process, we need to create a learning experience that will create renewed interest in Hindi. I want our future generation to be enriched with the wealth of our national language.”