Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Kendriya Hindi Sansthan at Mawdiangdiang

 Chief Minister Sangma lays stress on learning Hindi

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in the presence of the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, on Sunday inaugurated Kendriya Hindi Sansthan at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. Also present during the inauguration was State Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that in many States not much importance was given to the Hindi language. He said that the youths had taken to learning foreign languages such as Japanese, Italian or Spanish in the hope of getting attractive jobs in those countries.

"If similar importance of learning foreign languages is given to learning Hindi, one will be at an advantageous position," he said.

The Chief Minister also said, "Unless we break the language barrier it will be very difficult to provide employment to the youth." He added that for anyone from the north-eastern region who wishes to work in the other economically developed States of the country, knowing Hindi language will be helpful. "I have studied in Delhi and learned Hindi and we would converse in the language. As the Chief Minister when I go to Delhi and interact with the ministers and officials, I find a different comfort level in communication," he said. He expressed happiness in having the institution in the State and urged the youth to give due importance to Hindi.

The Chief Minister also said that as per the New Education Policy, the local language should be encouraged in schools and colleges. "The Northeast is rich in languages, culture and heritage and we need to preserve this rich cultural heritage which is the identity of the people and many languages have become extinct," he said. He further added that there is a need to use modern technology to preserve this cultural heritage besides preserving them in documents and books. He also urged the minister to have detailed research in the languages of Meghalaya. He said that Meghalaya will be celebrating 50 years on January 21, 2022 and it would be befitting if the Garo and the Khasi languages are included in the 8th Schedule.

"The people of the State have been working very hard for the inclusion of these two languages in the 8th Schedule and the Meghalaya assembly has also passed a resolution in this respect and if these languages are included in the 8th Schedule, it would be a great gift for the people of the State," he said.

Speaking during the occasion, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Shillong would cater to the needs of students wishing to learn Hindi from the States of Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya. He said that language cannot be imposed on anyone but learning any language other than one's mother tongue is not harmful.

"India is a country rich in Biodiversity and every language spoken in this country is my mother tongue," he said. He also added that in modern era, technology can be leveraged upon to preserve and promote this rich cultural biodiversity not only in the world but within the country itself. He also said that the Northeast was a storehouse of culture, good practices and knowledge and this should be shared with other regions of the country. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries also released books during the occasion.

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