tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post2028783228534824467..comments2024-03-08T20:58:21.493-08:00Comments on @categorical_imp: Tamil and the Concept of IndiaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-24175735409951107772014-08-07T17:38:04.253-07:002014-08-07T17:38:04.253-07:00This is a brilliant article taking us through a jo...This is a brilliant article taking us through a journey of our past. Kudos Anirud. Now, to answer questions on what can the Govt. do.. it's simple.. a very few measures can go a long way in saving this incredible language and civilization..<br /><br />1) Make Tamil a medium to learn anything and everything, including engineering, medicine, arts and science.<br />2) Talk about our rich history and heritage in history books (in schools). The great naval fleet of Rajendra Chola, which captured all the way till Indonesia and Thailand. Or the fact that the so called Bay of Bengal was once named, 'The Great Chola Lake' a true testament to our greatness.<br />3) Teach our kids about the true 'cradle of civilization', rather than the rubbish story of some Europeans invading India and settling down in Indus valley.<br />4) Like Mr. Modi did in Gujarat... Get archeologists to dive 150km south of KanyaKumari (the southern tip of India). Independent archeologists and historians have found proof of a 10000 year old port there. Let the damn world know, we were the true cradle of civilization. (Which makes more sense to you.. 10000 yr old civilization down south to 5000 yr old civilization near Gujarat to 3000 yr old civilization in Indus valley or out of no where a bunch of people enter India and set up a civilization that's head and shoulders above the rest.)<br />5) Stop central govt. from pushing Hindi as the communication language (in central govt offices) in our state. Do it where everyone speaks Hindi, not here. This is my state, my language should get top priority.<br />6) Push for a Tamil union territory at the least. Only half of our tax funds come back to us as welfare schemes, rest goes to feed the great nation, India. 2 nuclear power stations and we still have power cuts. If a disaster happens, it affects my land and my people, why shouldn't my people reap the maximum benefit and give away only surplus. <br /><br />These are some of the measures the Govt. can take. More than anything the Govt. should look at educating people on why it is important for our great language to survive. <br />Finally, you see these tiny European nations, the super powers, learn and teach everything in their native language, not English or some common language, because its spoken by the masses. This is the way to go.. the way I see it.. its either split from India or bid farewell to Tamil. In the words of the great Tamil scholar Baradhidasan 'Tamil ini mella sagum' (Tamil will suffer a slow death). If the Govt. doesn't step in, this will be our fate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07281261825930674882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-44633329808736545042014-06-28T10:28:27.872-07:002014-06-28T10:28:27.872-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.rudra2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/00525204843994090468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-54498921280476791652014-06-25T07:31:47.025-07:002014-06-25T07:31:47.025-07:00It is mule headedness to kill a language to propog...It is mule headedness to kill a language to propogate another. If one has seen the UN functioning, you would have noticed that no one is FORCED to learn English, Spanish, Mandarin, German or any other language for that matter. You have people called Interpreters who do the job of translating, without the participants from all the countries -who hold important portfolios- having the added headache of learning a language apart from their area of specialization. On the flip side-This helps create job opportunities for those who have a flair for the language! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10485862981530412150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-66713808291537098032014-06-25T07:21:08.172-07:002014-06-25T07:21:08.172-07:00When the Govt is busy in imposing indifference tow...When the Govt is busy in imposing indifference towards 'other' languages, it is not worthwhile to look up to the SAME Govt preserve a language! The ONLY way left is to take matter into one's hand, over come one's indifference and work hard in establishing language centres where those interested can learn languages f their choice-like its done in foreign language centres. Yes, one may argue that these centres are run by their governments, but as JFK said (slightly rephrased!)-'Ask not what your Govt did for your language, ask what you did!" Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10485862981530412150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-17884186472353216132014-06-24T23:01:58.009-07:002014-06-24T23:01:58.009-07:00It's now proven that learning a language other...It's now proven that learning a language other than your mother tongue actually helps the brain become healthier. That beiong the case let's drop all nationalistic reasons for learning a language and keep a 3 language formula in all schools in India. If first language is hindi then second language must be a regional one. If first language is a regional one then second language must be Hindi...third of course remains english. The perhaps a a greater bridge will be formed among this wonderfully diverse nation.<br />Deepika Kumaravelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03700117558550761415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-5505619052377116702014-06-24T21:19:36.580-07:002014-06-24T21:19:36.580-07:00Sorry Rami reddy, cant agree with you. India is no...Sorry Rami reddy, cant agree with you. India is not an autocratic country but a democratic country. People cant be forced upon. Just like how you have the freedom to choose to learn Hindi others have the freedom to choose to not learn / converse Hindi. It is purely a personal choice. You cant call it arrogance. Going by your logic. If Tamil people don't learn Hindi they are arrogant. But if Hindi people don't learn regional languages (even when they migrate to a different state which has a different language) it is called national interest. Wow defies logic. Now i call that audacity and arrogance. SRameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07136844617219657817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-1012944696370458502014-06-24T21:07:39.242-07:002014-06-24T21:07:39.242-07:00Sudeep / Anirudh I would say you might lose the fo...Sudeep / Anirudh I would say you might lose the focus of this argument which is against Hindi imposition. We can agree that Kannada did not evolve from Tamil as it has an equal history and also a classical status. The ground reality we face today is Hindi is enforced directly or indirectly upon us through TV ads like Bejdhe quikr etc.. or Newspapers like Times which hardly carry english headlines, only Hinglish. TN and Karnataka are the only states to voice oppositionSRameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07136844617219657817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-52262025070888765322014-06-24T12:37:14.302-07:002014-06-24T12:37:14.302-07:00http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Europ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Europe<br /><br />just in case people want to check it out. population of TN is around 70 million. france and germany have 65 and 80 respectively. some people just don't understand the gravity of such issues.Balajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01317662981609045131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-17350363816891059022014-06-24T12:26:22.400-07:002014-06-24T12:26:22.400-07:00are you trolling or are you stupid?
you do under...are you trolling or are you stupid? <br /><br />you do understand that there are etymological differences don't you.<br />Trilingual acceptance all over India ? which India are you talking about, you entitled sob. Its just like those arguments some stupid people down south make for english ("most down south understand english"), i don't know what is more stupid. comparing marathi-hindi to tamil-hindi is just as hilarious.<br /><br />even for those who have the moolah, what you are suggesting is this. <br /><br />hindi belt -> Hindi + English<br />all other poor souls -> Hindi +regional + English, we're not linguists for f's sake.<br /><br />and it will be destructive. if not now , it will in soon enough. why would anyone bother learning Tamil if everyone in India speaks Hindi. why do you think the author doesn't know Tamil? <br /><br />if the need arises why would anyone not learn Hindi ? the point that you put forward sounds as if you want everyone to learn Chinese so that when they travel to china (if they do) it would be easier for them to converse with the locals. <br /><br />people don't do that , usually only the ones who're traveling to china learn chinese, or someone who has the use for it. why do you want to force it on everyone? even first world countries can't do that trilingual shit.<br /><br /> this is not about you or me. its about an entire culture and its people, and the ramifications it would have even in the short run. preferential treatment of hindi WILL kill many languages. if you can't see that then you don't understand language or culture.<br /><br />even english+regional is still a dream for many Indians. i don't know in which ganja smoking den you are sitting in, please clear your head.Balajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01317662981609045131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-52642534210706039992014-06-24T11:41:42.192-07:002014-06-24T11:41:42.192-07:00Vahse,
Awareness is something that leaders need t...Vahse,<br /><br />Awareness is something that leaders need to inculcate in their people. The kind of knowledge (or lack thereof) that we have of the people of the North-East is quite alarming.<br /><br />We really should give up the idea of this "monolithic bloc" as you put it, and focus instead on educating people about differences. We'll create a happier world that way.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-73221384965061319302014-06-24T11:38:34.758-07:002014-06-24T11:38:34.758-07:00Santhosh,
I can read Tamil. I will learn how to w...Santhosh,<br /><br />I can read Tamil. I will learn how to write :)Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-83171138417114868212014-06-24T11:37:34.412-07:002014-06-24T11:37:34.412-07:00Sunil,
There is nothing fanatic about love for on...Sunil,<br /><br />There is nothing fanatic about love for one's language. You will do well to understand that. I have not undermined the importance of Kannada, Telugu or Malayalam at any point in my most.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, I speak a little bit of Telugu and I can understand basic Malayalam. I don't know where your analysis of relative-tolerance comes from.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-27770743256175115742014-06-24T11:34:22.807-07:002014-06-24T11:34:22.807-07:00Shishir,
Thanks for being here. I really enjoyed ...Shishir,<br /><br />Thanks for being here. I really enjoyed some of the suggestions you've made; many of them reverberate with my own thoughts, while a few of them are refreshingly new.<br /><br />The point you make about selective rejection of Westernization, while accepting points which are seen as convenient, is damningly true. The point about accepting History as something which as happened (and therefore shaped our present), and not something which we necessarily must react emotionally to is very mature.<br /><br />We definitely require better centers of holistic learning in India. Perhaps, instead of that forty-seventh IIT, we can have an Indian Center for Languages and Arts?Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-73631820981197981832014-06-24T11:26:40.237-07:002014-06-24T11:26:40.237-07:00Thank you for the analysis, Rudra. I was beginning...Thank you for the analysis, Rudra. I was beginning to wonder how I have escaped relatively unhurt so far. But I must also credit the people of this country, for they have reacted rather maturely to an issue which ostensibly is so sensitive.<br /><br />I agree with the practical problems which you have identified. After all, the people of most developed countries in this world are monolingual. A lot of us, even with all our "third-world concerns", are still bilingual. Expecting people to be trilingual is madness.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-77983770650261958112014-06-24T11:21:03.203-07:002014-06-24T11:21:03.203-07:00I like the analogy that you draw. It puts things i...I like the analogy that you draw. It puts things into perspective and makes them quite vivid.<br /><br />It is also funny that the tech-savvy man that NaMo is, none of his cabinet members have taken to technology to bridge these communication gaps that they cite.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-88243890342607045942014-06-24T11:18:13.509-07:002014-06-24T11:18:13.509-07:00Narayanamurthy,
Opposition to teaching Hindi is s...Narayanamurthy,<br /><br />Opposition to teaching Hindi is schools is at least as bad as making a Hindi compulsory in them. But now, I'm beginning to wonder how people in UP and Bihar will react if Bengali or Malayalam was popularized by their schools.<br /><br />This is not a point of argument, of course; just something to think about.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-36748293382990177552014-06-24T11:12:28.250-07:002014-06-24T11:12:28.250-07:00"Unity, not uniformity": great words to ..."Unity, not uniformity": great words to go by.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-6859590749396436122014-06-24T11:10:35.086-07:002014-06-24T11:10:35.086-07:00Harish,
Language does help 'verbify' the ...Harish,<br /><br />Language does help 'verbify' the culture. So your point is very valid. Applying an alien language, in effect, enforces a foreign culture.<br /><br />It is good to know that you are well read in both these great languages.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-34758276181946002782014-06-24T11:08:21.544-07:002014-06-24T11:08:21.544-07:00Dear Rami,
I understand and appreciate the fact t...Dear Rami,<br /><br />I understand and appreciate the fact that you know Hindi and that you are proud of having learnt the language. We do not condemn you for learning Hindi, but that doesn't mean we have to accept you as some kind of role-model. Respect differences, my friend. Perhaps one day, it will help you.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-28156270957659973142014-06-24T11:05:16.881-07:002014-06-24T11:05:16.881-07:00Ramesh,
Thanks. And I agree with you that it is v...Ramesh,<br /><br />Thanks. And I agree with you that it is very difficult to replace English completely in the current scenario.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-33957287133783921102014-06-24T11:04:13.354-07:002014-06-24T11:04:13.354-07:00I'm sorry, Sudeep, but you seem to miss the po...I'm sorry, Sudeep, but you seem to miss the point of this post.<br /><br />But yes, if you want to talk of the origins of Kannada, it belongs to the Tamil-Kannada stream of Dravidian languages. I acknowledge that the language did have oral existence around the 3rd century B.C., around the same time as the last Sangam meetings.Anirudh Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576773258986094621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-49598667217421811872014-06-24T10:53:25.237-07:002014-06-24T10:53:25.237-07:00Kannada did not evolve from Tamil. I understand yo...Kannada did not evolve from Tamil. I understand your pride and agree with most of your points. But facts which are wrong are wrongAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03599347779678966710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-90244206868668192162014-06-24T07:36:53.507-07:002014-06-24T07:36:53.507-07:00Well written. I dont understand why children have ...Well written. I dont understand why children have to take the burden of learning 3 languages. Especially if the third language is not going to be of any value addition. Most of our country folks need to retrospect our history. English is here to stay atleast till India is a services country for MNC'sSRameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07136844617219657817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-72373486359517156992014-06-24T06:26:00.526-07:002014-06-24T06:26:00.526-07:00Read the blog n all comments
Instead of arguments...Read the blog n all comments <br />Instead of arguments which we Indians indulge in look at how the society is progressing<br />Look at south films songs all languages now have songs lyrics with Hindi in it<br />S products like soaps n biscuits have different package for south<br />All tv commercials are now in Hindi n 3 south languages with even a different brand ambassador for south<br />N s all south ppl are slowly learning or understanding Hindi<br />Just look at prabhudeva<br />It's wrong to assume state patronage makes a language grow even though it helps unless the speakers themselves do speak n take pride <br />Look at tulu speakers just the love of the Ppl has made it survive<br />Other stray thoughts<br />Coz of computers n internet English is lording over<br />Governments all over are fighting a loosing battle worldwide<br />Even French German Japanese have such issues n arguments<br />N maravadis don't have problems learning local language be it in Bangalore Chennai or Coimbatore<br />N ty never complain<br />Finally it's just plain simple<br />See every where ppl just want to fight language religion caste race etc<br />Just want a reasonAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052070497420199515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6299665443016033606.post-17662257737624647192014-06-24T04:50:54.284-07:002014-06-24T04:50:54.284-07:00I respect all languages, we should a language mode...I respect all languages, we should a language model for a country.... no language should be forced on anyone .. at the same time ... as one nation we should have one identify, i don't mind learning Kannada orr Bangala.. but everyone should agree to it.... another big issue here is that... as soon as we have some hope of development such article start coming up... is there is any big hand still dividing us ... just think of it ?.. someone really don't want us to grow....either we say one nation.. or we divide live as we are living.... for the sake of higher purpose can we stop thinking at low level.. rather think how you can add value to your language.....let us stabilize first.. then reform....Nandri...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03520833549284807374noreply@blogger.com