FUTURE OF ENGLISH IN INDIA
India is a vast country inhabited by the people speaking different languages. Language has, therefore, been a very controversial issue right since India became free. Different political leaders and educationists have been expressing different opinions on the subject. Even today the issue remains as unresolved as it was a decade ago.
English was introduced in our schools and colleges by the Britishers. It gradually took firm roots in the soil of our land. English played an important role in the freedom struggle.
It was believed that after the departure of the English from India. English language would also be discarded. But, in reality, this language has continued to occupy an important place in our country. English is recognized as the second official language of the country after Hindi.
India is trying to become a powerful nation in all spheres. The economic, social and political life of the nation is to be changed. People in other countries are making rapid progress in numerous fields of knowledge. English is our life-line of contact with the outside world.
Advanced knowledge in various sciences and the latest researches come to India through the medium of English. By depriving ourselves of this language, we shall be missing the glorious works of Shakespeare, Shelley, Keats and Byron. Authors like Nehru, Radhakrishnan, Aurobindo Ghosh, Mulk Raj Anand, Sarojini Naidu and Gandhiji wrote their books in English. Infact, English is an important international language.
The lovers of English in India will, however, have to accept a subdued place for English in the changing state of affairs. It is being realized that English should be developed and taught more as a library language than as a language of refined literature and rich thought. Moreover, English can no longer continue to remain the only language of opportunity. It will, however, have to be used alongwith Hindi and other regional languages of the country.
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