Of languages and communications

I saw 2 interviews which formed the basis for this post. This has been running through my mind for quite a while now and recently saw another interview which eventually resulted in writing it all up. The first interview was that of Singapore's PM Lee Kuan Yew. It was more of a snippet about his views on India. The part that grabbed my attention was how much he is surprised about India as a whole and despite all its misgivings and contradictions how it continues to surprise everyone and sets an example for the world to follow, especially with its idea of Unity in diversity. He mentioned how easy or streamlined it is for his country or countries like China/Japan or even bigger countries like Russia, where majority of the nation follows a common language and it is easy for the government to pass on their policies and ideas to their population. Whereas in a country like India, which is more of a subcontinent and more diverse than even Europe, a small region which is actually an extension of Asia, but refuses to accept that and recognizes itself as a continent. Unlike Europe where each of the different tongued regions are countries, in India they are part of the union as states. Meaning, those who come to power at the centre, are almost a continent away from the farthermost region of the nation and if at all their message needs to traverse and reach the last man standing, it has to cut across several local and regional barriers, by chance and by design, which dilutes the essence and many a times creates a 360 degree different perception of what was initially conceived to be conveyed. The SGP PM wishes India could somehow come up with a common language that will enable smoother governance while at the same time, marvels at how the nation has picked itself from the pieces left behind by centuries of loot by foreigners. As much as he marvels at the concept of diversity, considering his background, he roots for a common thread that can unite the nation stronger.

The second interview and the third one are slightly contradicting in nature when it comes to the message from the previous paragraph. One of those was that of Kantara star Rishab Shetty. That guy was so polite and courteous and respectful that, anyone would immediately start liking him. He comes across as  a calm person with an immediately likeable personality. The best part of the interview being, he spoke in tamil!! As fluently and more than the anchor!! Him being a native kannadiga the ease with which he spoke tamil made me realise the effect of learning another tongue and its impact on the native speakers. The third interview was also on similar lines, that of Shivrajkumar, Upendra and Raj shetty(?) who were on a round table discussion, fluently chatting in tamil! There is a sweetness to kannadigas as such and especially so when they speak in tamil. Be as it may that they might've spent their whole childhood, schooling and even college here in chennai and having spent almost half of their lifetime in this city, it might be hardly surprising that they are so fluent. At the same time, despite having stayed in Bangalore for close to a decade, the best kannada i could manage was "seedha hogi ..right hogi" to a tamil speaking auto driver!! It is not just the intent, the benefits it brings with, the knowledge you gain by understanding other tongues, but the respect it shows to the native people and the connect it establishes, especially for people in public domains. It makes one immediately receptive of them and the fact that they've put in effort to speak your tongue gains them respect and attention to start with. It made me realize, how much my colleagues would appreciate if i can talk to them in Hindi or telugu and how easy it would've been for those from other states if people can talk freely. Somehow, despite being the de facto language for communication all these years in IT, it doesn't feel like chatting when you talk in English. You can crack jokes, but nothing beats the effect it garners when you say even silly things in a local tongue.

Coming back to Mr. Yew's argument - yes. It definitely is a need of the hour to have a language that is far reaching and a simple medium through which the length and breadth of the nation can be brought together and if it is Hindi so be it. But it shouldn't stop anyone or be an impediment to learn other languages. Afterall and above all it is for this reason that Mera Bharat is always Mahaan, for it offers you a lot. Depends on the individual to pick it up.