As Indians we are proud of our so-called Unity in Diversity, and (maybe) rightly so. But in my view, this pride in the diversity is limited only to the diverse cultures, traditions, and customs.
When it comes to languages though, it becomes a mess. At the cost of sounding radically opinionated, I would brazenly say that the very fact that we have a ridiculous plethora of languages in the country is causing not Unity but “Disparity in Diversity”! No wonder we still find India in the list of “still-developing-God-alone-knows-for-how-long” countries!
It is all nice and grand and magnanimous to stand by and to be proud of the tongue of your land. But in today’s day and age, if we do not possess enough acumen to draw a line between the intrinsic passion and love for one’s grassroots, and on the other hand, the ruthless practicality of the world that we need to survive in, then our vision is blurred by pseudo patriotism!
Let us take some examples of some countries that are (more) advanced.
Let’s look at the US of A; if I am a New Yorker on the East coast of the country and there is a lucrative job opportunity in San Francisco on the West coast, I will have no problems opting for it. That’s because I know that wherever I go in the US of A I will understand everyone and be understood by everyone.
Another good example is China. As a Chinese I would have no qualms working or residing in Hong Kong or in Mainland China. Because whether I speak Cantonese or Mandarin I will still be understood. (For those unaware, the people are ‘Chinese’, there is no language called ‘Chinese’).
Now let’s come back to India. Being a Goan, let’s assume I speak/understand ONLY Konkani because of my pseudo pride and because I thought it was wise to stick to only my mother-tongue and to get educated in Konkani medium, and I just understand bits and pieces of English from TV, Radio, etc.
I then hear of a good job opportunity in Calcutta, I would be terrified to take it because I don’t know Bengali. So as an Indian (who remains UNREALISTICALLY OBSESSED with the respective State language) I am restricted to only my area or my state.
We are divided on the lines of our own (diverse) languages!
So somebody tell me, what kind of Unity in Diversity are we talking about here??? I am terrified to go to another state in my own country! I am not understood in MY OWN COUNTRY! The rest of the world is a whole different ball game!
That being said, I would not completely belittle those who strive to keep the local language alive and recognised. I too proudly speak Konkani and Hindi. But I ALSO realise (and understand) the fact that in order to be a Global Citizen I cannot be impractical and behave like a frog in the well.
In my opinion, India needs a single (main) language. And in all practicality that language needs to be ENGLISH!
Whether we like it or not!
