Not in one but in many ways our case is unique. And, our uniqueness makes us a glorious Rashtra in the comity of nations, we can judiciously feel proud about our distant past and immediate present. But it would have been better if in certain cases we wouldn’t have been unique. For instance, the lingering power-position of the English language is one such uniqueness, that we wish we never have had. Genesis of this lingering-knot can clearly be traced back to the days when English-speaking foreigners had reigns of our political and administrative affairs in their hands. The ‘knot’ has weakened us a lot so much so that we seem to have lost the sense of discernment to such an extent that we (at least some among us for sure) have begun to delude ourselves into believing that English as a link language has empowered us. This is a symptom of not being in a healthy and free (swa-stha & swadheen) state of mind. I understand as Rashtra, it is difficult to articulate our current course for the immediate future/present on this strange case of acclimatisation with the beautiful language in an ugly manner. But understand it much better and trust fully that it is not impossible to come out of this.
None is against proficiency in all languages of the world including English. Our mastering all the languages of the world, which are spoken across various countries, will definitely help us have a better understanding of other nations and deal with them to the advantage of our national interest keeping in mind global welfare.
But there is a subtle difference between using a language and being used by one. When we have to use a foreign language to communicate among ourselves then we become subservient to the ones who are masters of that language. Period. In Indic traditions, poets have been acknowledged as wise ones. And not one but many poets have time and again indicated across the time that one’s own language harbours mysterious power. The ones who master it wield the power of this mysterious weapon. But unfortunate are the ones who are forced to pledge this power at the altar of languages which are not indigenous. We are those unfortunate ones in this singular sense. As, we have chosen not any of the indigenous languages to communicate among ourselves while we have such a beautiful flowerpot of languages.
We have bravely won our political freedom back from the English and wrested power from them but subconsciously English is still holding some power in matters of ruling (politically free) Bharat. When as civilians we debate among ourselves, our discourses still appear to be dominated by those articulations which are expressed in English. Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi etc …I mean all swadeshi languages have yet to be given their rightful place by ourselves. Role of society is greater than the role of Government in this regard. It has been a strangely long lingering case of pulling ourselves down.
In Indic traditions, poets have been acknowledged as wise ones. And not one but many poets have time and again indicated across the time that one’s own language harbours mysterious power. The ones who master it wield the power of this mysterious weapon. But unfortunate are the ones who are forced to pledge this power at the altar of languages which are not indigenous
Depth, volume and dimensions of the solid consensus among ourselves on basic ingredients constituting the soft-power of Rashtra make the country strong and exemplary on the world map. Which other democratic country is capable of exploring and upholding it than the Rashtra whose basic identity and foundation is spiritual? None, because all the tools and skills which constitute soft power are empowered by the depth, volume and dimensions of the unity among ourselves. Nothing else compares the extent and strength of that union which emanates from spiritual bonding. And, the role of indigenous languages is irreplaceable in transmitting the essential element (tattva) of spirituality (adhyatm).
Spirituality alone has that self-control, capability and openness (vivek) which provides space for all religions to breathe fearlessly staying with neither more nor less than deserving quantum of dignity(garimaa) within maryada (balance).
We call it a language problem in the absence of properly articulated and popularly accepted narrative. In reality, it is not the problem of language but that of cultural experience. The problem is subtle; it involves the treatment of symbols, attitudes, feel, confidence, identity, ownness, icons, ideals, heroes and many sentiments, emotions etc which constitute core of our being one Rashtra.
(The writer is the Propounder of Sahaj Smriti Yog System of Self Realisation. Founder Darpan Foundation @ Bengaluru, Karnataka and Darpan Ashram@ Urigam, Krishnagiri Distt, Tamil Nadu)
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