Need of English in India

Need of English in India

English Learning

English is a world language. It is an avenue of knowledge in many branches of learning – science, technology, commerce, medical science, business management etc. It does not mean we need English at all levels and for all. If one learns one’s mother tongue well, after a certain stage, with maturity of brain, it is easy to learn a new language. It is not difficult to gain knowledge up to 12 levels through mother tongue. 

In 1935 it was during the time of Lord William Bentinck as Governor-general that English was first introduced in India. Over a hundred and eighty four years passed since then. That the measures has done good to our country by throwing open to us through English the vast storehouse of knowledge in different parts of the world is admitted on all hands.

But the situation has changed now, and there is a widespread demand all over India for instruction through the mother tongue. This is natural in these days for every self-respecting people. In fact, steps have already been taken in this direction in all states of India so that the light of knowledge may reach every citizen, however humble he or she may be. But English has been still retained as a compulsory subject of study from the secondary education stage in every state.

It is, of course, no justification that English should be driven out as the Britishers have left. We have accepted many styles, habits and items of the English people in everyday life. Hence there is nothing wrong with the language. Many Indian writers from Bankim Chandra Chatterjee to R. K. Narayan have contributed to English literature in India. We have read their books with pleasure and profit. The Anglo-Indians are from a part of our population. It is their mother tongue.  Why then English language shall be treated as a foreign language. Consultations and communications on science and commerce may be done in a better way through English. English should stay, and also it has to introduce it in our curriculum at primary level.

Lastly I want to say that ours is a vast land where different people speak different languages. Most of the people of one state cannot understand the language of another state. This makes it impossible for communication of ideas and growth of a feeling of oneness among the masses in different parts of India. English forms the link language and to abolish it at the stage will be suicidal from the national point of view.