IT News
Imphal, April 12:
Lok Sabha MP from Manipur, Dr Lorho S. Pfoze turns out to be the first elected representative of the people of Manipur to oppose the imposition of Hindi as a compulsory subject up to class 10. Earlier the Nagaland government has taken decision to introduce Hindi upto class only despite the fact that Home Minister Amit Shah had stated to make Hindi a compulsory subject till class 10. The Union HM also stated that all the 8 NE states have agreed to the decision. However, Nagaland Government become the first state to oppose the decision and as for the state of Manipur Lok Sabha MP from Manipur, Dr Lorho S. Pfoze is the first oppose the decision.
In a letter written to the Chairman Parliamentary Official Language Committee & Home Minister, Government of India New Delhi Dr Lorho S. Pfoze said that Democracy in India is characterized by unity in diversity that has provided a unified vision to the people to make the Nation a great nation. Diverse as we are, the secular fabric of the Nation has been woven in recognition of regional differences, mutual tolerance & acceptance that allow us to live together with our differences which in turn has made India a beautiful nation and hence, the greatest democracy in the world.
He added that North East India with just about 3.76% population of the country living in 7.98% of the land mass, has the widest range of ethnic and cultural diversities with more than 220 dialects or languages spoken. These diversities have tended to break us up into small isolated sections mainly caused by keeping the region isolated, exploited, marginalized and neglected. No sufficient interventions, to give honourable and equitable development to the region, were accorded until NDA came to power in 1998-2004 and again from 2014 till now.
NDA under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the image of India to the people of the North East positively but this imposition will undo what NDA has painstakingly built up over the years with one stroke.
“You are well aware that North East India is a complex region with multiple challenges to the Government of India. It is only in recent times, that because of the changing attitudes of the leadership at the Centre that our people are beginning to come closer and learning to adapt to peaceful coexistence. I am of the considered opinion that when these regional issues are recognised and addressed positively that the sense of National Integrity will be enhanced”, Dr Lorho S. Pfoze said.
Dr. Lorho however stated that Hindi is a beautiful and rich language and has become a widely used means of communication the world over. Therefore, learning the language is undoubtedly important. However, imposition of any sort always creates a negative attitude towards a gesture. Imposing Hindi upon NE India at the moment will only compound the learning burden on NE students. As of now, learning the ethnic language – mother tongue in the primary level education is basic. Learning of the State language — in the case of Manipur, the Manipuri language is also compulsory. Hence, compulsory learning of Hindi till Class X on top of two other languages is like deliberately awarding a curriculum disadvantage to NE students in comparison to students whose ethnic language is Hindi.
Dr Lorho S. Pfoze said that making Hindi a compulsory subject in the NE States in school education is ill advised and too hasty, which is why a lot of disgruntlement and objections amongst the various Student Organizations have arisen. While, already some Governments of the Southern States have registered objection to the move of the Central Government. The imposition is only going to cause a further sense of alienation to the people of North East India, Dr Lorho S. Pfoze added.
He appealed the authority and the Home Minister not to impose compulsory learning of Hindi so suddenly but instead create an atmosphere of ease and pleasure to learning Hindi as an optional subject in the North East, especially in my State of Manipur.
