Himalayan Times (1953)

February j, 1953 Ifiimultuum (Timr* . Eleven

to this editok

The Hilitor it not retpuntulr for view» erprefed in tint column
K,l. U. Timet

THIS ANSWER IN HINDI

Sir, I write to support the views
expressed in the columns of the States-
man of 5/1/1953, by Mr. Anil Mukheijee,
in regard to the retention of English
as the lingua franca- of India for some
time longer: in other words, I am a no
changer, if I may say so, even at the
very outset, and 1 hope ail right thinking
men will share my view’

In this age of Industrial and Co
mmercial expansion, the prosperity of
our land cannot bo. enhanced, but will
be retarded, if English prematuraily ceases
tc be the medium of communication with,
the outside world. In a country peopled
bv d verse races, castes, creeds and
colours English has served as a bond
of union, and there is no other indi-
genous language that can replace it
easily or even for years to come. Our
•soil is largely dependent upon foreign
countries for many of th& essential arti-
cles she needs and howc to get them
except by ordering them through the
medium of English. If, for instance, ?n
order were placed in Hindi with a Firm
in America; can we expect it to be
executed? So long as our laud'is not
self-sufficient in the matter cf Industrial ,
and Commercial resources, and finally
until books written in Hindi are r ad v
to replace the works in English parti-
cularly on Scientific and Industrial sub-
jects, so long will it be needful, as 1
think, for our Country to 'retain it. The
Five-Year plan aptly described as the
jewel of the plan, if promptly imple-
mented and fulfils the expect ions of its
promoters, it may perhaps quicken the
replacement of English without detriment
to the material interests of our land.

In these da3’s of quickened trails
port and highly developed facilities for

travel, we may expect our countrymen
to go abroad in ever increasing numbers,
and naturally we shall be terribly handi-
cappedj in our intercourse with people
of other lands, if we are ignorant of
English, a world language used by the
largest number of people on earth to-day.

Patriotism one thing • practical
consideratiorr^iiite another; and. in a
matter of such huge importance as the
immediate replacement of Engli-h by
Hindi momentary gratification of a senti-
ment might to give place, to wider con-
sideration arising from the permanent
interests of a Country newly made inde-
pendent. Yours, etc. M B. Taniang,
Darjeeli.ng -

FACTS AND FIGURES

1. Indian'incometax collection during
the -first- nine mbiUns of 1952-53 amoun-
ted to- Ks.l()9 crore9 as against Rs.104 7
crores during the corresponding period
last year. .

•' 2. India exported during 1951-52
leather and / leather .goods valued at
Rs.26• 82 ,crores

3 About 90 lakh trunk calls exclu-
ding service*calls were put through Indian
‘ telephones. during 1951-52, being 25 per
.cent more than in the previous year

4. India lias 2,55,U00 mdes of road,
of which about 30 per cent aie surfaced.

WIRELESS SCHOOL

Applications in writing - are irivited
from young men and women, who desire
to underg) primary training as wireless
operators and wireless mechanics. Appl -
cants must have a good knowledge of
English

Fees are moderate.

R. N. FOX, Instructor
•Panorama” Wireless School
KALIMPONG