Wisdom is a scarce material. I am of the firm belief that there is only one language which can provide you a taste of wisdom in today’s world. Especially in 21st century, if even a part of Ray Kurzweil’s law which claims to be generalized version of Moor’s law becomes true then every educated person irrespective of his or her profession has problem without English.By 2010, this world will be forced to unlearn what have been pretty good till 20th century. At the same time, people will have to learn things which will not be available in regional languages. The updated knowledge and wisdom will not be available in any language other than English. This is a caution to all the non-English speaking people across the world.
The governments of almost all the developing countries are suffering from ego and power politics. They fear to lose their chair to go against the comfort zone of the people. As life has its own hardship; there is hardly any growth or success in comfort zone. People have to come out of that comfort zone and march into new domain to enjoy the pleasure of development. Why governments fail to react in right direction?
Recently, just last month, I wrote a blog regarding extinctions of regional languages titled “Politics of Regional Languages” on 8 Jan 2007. I understand that people are very emotional and sentimental about their regional language that too in India. They can not believe the fact that it can ever extinct easily. Wherever, they go, they always look for regional people to satisfy ego. And then they shamelessly do regionalism to keep themselves in comfort zone. They still feel proud to talk in regional languages even in the international conventions with global people. Regional language is the biggest sentimental issue of almost every rising individual.
The emotions work well for those who have already built the empire to enjoy life. But think of many ever energetic and dynamic courageous youth who have capability to do miracles but unable to find knowledge and wisdom in the regional language. I always feel handicap of my loss of initial 20-25 years of my life. What is the benefit of cursing life at the age of 30s or 40s if you are unable to take corrective action during teenage? Above 40s, life already becomes a sad story.
Coming to the rescue of millions of children deprived of studying English in schools, the Knowledge Commission has recommended teaching of the language as a compulsory subject from class I across the country. Will country implement these bold but necessary steps to reduce digital divide?
As I have always pointed out the integrity factor of Sam Pitroda to ensure few of the forced unlearning process in society. He had been to US for long time. Today, Indians are reaping the benefits of the brain drain of 60s and 70s through Pitroda’s recommendations. We must be thankful to US that such brains were preserved to be useful at later age. Can we forget the development of Bangalore or Hydrabad? Common Indians are reaping the benefits.
There is a need to enforce unlearning to fetch the benefit of growth for all. The entrepreneur, executives and managers working in BPOs, Call Centers and IT industry will immediately appreciate the necessity of this step. Sam Pitroda rightly says, “Starting now, English would help us build an inclusive society and transform India into a knowledge society.”
Presently, only nine of the 28 states and three Union territories in India have introduced English as compulsory subject from Class I. This kind of severe discrimination to divide the people exists in Indian sub-continent without a protest from any social activist. Is there any surprise if poor remains deprived and Indian entrepreneurs are unable to get educated English speaking youth to run their outsourcing companies? How people get time to fight for unnecessary issue like racial discrimination not for learning English?
Sam Pitroda said, “Even now, no more than 1% of our people use English as a second language, let alone a first language.” This statement means that the country economy is booming only on less than 1% people. Rest of the population is electing conservative leaders and parties to rule them. What a tremendous potential to this sleeping country? Racial discrimination is being done here in India with the less privileged people.
I get surprised when people do business just by teaching English language. The books on learning English become famous. All these happen in a country which has been ruled by British for more than 400 years. Is it such a big problem to understand wisdom?
Now, the problems emerge for all those who are successfully running Institute just for teaching English. They will have to look for alternative professions. The people who are doing good business in regional languages will have to close their shops. The poor and deprived can not be easily fooled by the mediocre on the name of foreign language.
“English should also be used to teach some non-language, content subjects, starting from Class III in schools,” the Commission has said. What a forced unlearning to a civilized society? But it is mandatory to bring prosperity. It is a government responsibility to force on people to unlearn things which are not required through such steps. Now, India should take some steps to implement these changes suggested by the Commission.
Since last few years, one crucial comparative advantage enjoyed by India as opposed to its rising neighbour China has been relatively widespread presence of English-speaking people. This advantage will not be there for long unless Indian government takes some drastic steps. The recommendations of knowledge commission provide wisdom to Indian government. But, let us see how far government reacts on wisdom? In the absence of English, India will be at disadvantage and Indians will be at loss.
Now, the latest craze is American English. India must move towards American English for wide acceptance. 'Gotcha! So you gonna chicken out, brotha? I ain’t know nothin’. These are common talk in Malls across Metro cities. I receive from friends – Yup dude, you’re bang on! D’oh…” These are the American way and Indians of Gen Y loving it. With Indian students going to the US in bulk, the American accent will surely plague India. All modern equipments and job assignments along with latest technologies, websites and wisdom come from US only. There is no other way.
Now thanks to ex-IBM professional Jean Paul Nerrihre advised us to try “Globish” instead of tough English. His famous book “Don’t Speak English” already became famous and advises us to learn language called Globish meaning global English. This involves a vocabulary limited to 1500 words, short sentences, basic syntax and extensive hand gestures to get the point across. What a different way to become global. Try it!
So there are plenty of opportunities. No society can prosper on old traditions, ethos and even languages. Government which is busy in opening schools based on religion and region to ensure discriminations to fulfill its desire to rule on deprived people will find difficult to accept the recommendation by Knowledge Commission. How far can you ban the integrated networked people across the world by banning on AXN or issuing warning to TV channels? People have the power to reach to the real knowledge and wisdom. Networked people sitting in front of their screen will make a difference.
Government may not generate courage to implement such policy immediately but certainly conscious people should understand this. That is what I always emphasize.
So let us unlearn regional language and regional feeling. Let us get detached from regional attachments. Learn the language which keeps you ahead for the years to come. Select a book which talks about future rather than glorify the past. Read the blogs which keeps you ahead. Learn the language in which tomorrow’s wisdom will be typed and printed.
Be global, learn global language and act global.
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