StyleSpeak: Medium of Vote-Acquisition By Wendell Rodricks
In the face of all that plagues Goa and numerous matters of far more urgent attention, Shashikala Kakodkar opened a can of worms that may just end up being her own embarrassing Pandora’s box. Top on everyone’s mind is why a person of a certain political lineage that recalls a failure to merge Goa with Maharashtra should now open a topic that is a non-topic. More embarrassing questions now follow. Goans want to know why a lady who has educated her children and grand children in English now has a turn of heart against a language which is the accepted world’s business language. The fact that India has an edge over China due to our mastery over a language which have brought Indian writers Booker and Pulitzer prizes on the world stage is in question in a state known for it’s cosmopolitan Indo-Lusitanian quality has had the nation watch in amazement. The Chinese, realising their loss of business and information technology by alienating the business language of the world, have now altered their education system to make English mandatory from primary school level. That decision attests to the wisdom of inculcating the English language in future generations. The bizarre truth is that English as a language has evolved from being the exclusive property of the British to becoming the mother tongue in countries across the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia. The language now ranks as most spoken in the world in third place after Mandarin and Spanish. At fourth place are proudly Hindi & Urdu.
Keeping that in mind, why one of the most educated Goan leader of the Opposition has now rallied to join the Pandora Box keepers is intriguing? What language did Parrikar speak to Governor Siddhu on this matter that rose from the ashes to gain headline news? Hindi ? Uhmm…Konkani? Nope. Marathi? Certainly not! Do we need say any more about the importance and use of English in India?
Schools in Maharashtra associated with the Pune Secondary School Certificate Board clearly have their priorities listed. The much aspired for English medium schools introduce Marathi in Grade Three, Hindi in Grade Five and then offer the option between Marathi and a foreign language from Grade Eight. A student passing S.S.C. hence emerges from Secondary School armed with a fluency in the national language, the state language, English and a foreign language if the option is taken. Goa should follow the same pattern and ignore the carping of some leaders who are clearly motivated to stay in the news, plan illegal bundhs and grasp at any opportunity to acquire visibility for the vote bank.
The latter is the disturbing truth. Like it or lump it, it is pure vote bank politics. Goan parents, students and the public at large should not become pawns in the hands of our politicians. By even listening to their ideological nonsense is a waste of time, media print and an insult to native intelligence.
Why are these minor figures pontificating from a high ground. Are they educationists? Has a single political person in the Goa Government done a PhD in education? If so, let them speak up. If not, let them be silenced. The fragile future of thousands children should not lie in the hands of politicos who have no experience nor expertise in education.
By calling a bundh and crowing about it’s “success” is laughable. When shopkeepers who have invested in glass counters and interiors do not want to suffer damage at the hands of goon supporters, naturally down their shutters. They do not care about the issue at hand. And who can blame them? In the face of violence and loss of property, they are prudent to behave in this manner. The students who went to school that day speak of the real victory in this matter.
There is no need to defend the English language at this stage. The Indian Constitution clearly states that Hindi is the official language of India. This proclamation is quickly followed by a surprising revelation… English is the official business language of the country. However, in the respect of Southern and Eastern states who do not speak the official language, the Constitution has left the choice of language in schools to individual states.
Parents and students have a right to their children’s future. Their voice needs to be heard. Not the insane din of people who want publicity and votes in the next elections. Goans should also not be drawn into a debate that is now turning to the old hatred and simmering tensions that communalism and caste can whip up. It is appalling that some senior once-respected writers are airing their communal views against minorities. This disgusting angle of politics and personal communal views should be stopped immediately. I am incensed that Catholic priests have been the butt of insult and unnecessary communal spewing. The restraint they are exercising is commendable. If the retort about the priest and conmen from other religious groups, it will become a free for all and lead to fanning flames of hatred. That should be avoided at all costs. We are a democracy and everyone should be respected. This Medium of Instruction issue is truly a Medium of Vote-Acquisition matter. Pure and simple. The forces that started the matter have no love for the children of this state. All they care are about communal and caste issues. If they believed in what they say, they should stay Konkan to the core and Indian in the spirit of unity through diversity. The latter phrase has been flogged to death. But the truth does lie within the phrase. A language can become a matter of divide. But it does, more importantly, unite the world to us Goans and Indians.
Let us then grant all languages equal status. Let education specialists and people with world vision have their say. Not political parties with agendas that divide our people. It is the future of Goan children at the heart of this MOI. They deserve the voice to make their choice for their own better future on a state, national and international level. (ENDS)
============================================= First published in Goa Today, Goa - July 2011
