NEW DELHI: After making Hindi compulsory for CBSE till class X, the BJP-led Centre has asked all airlines and airports across the country to make available Hindi newspaper and magazines on board and at all airports. While the move is in line with the NDA government’s Hindi policy, airports in the south are skeptical of the same.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj held a meeting with Hindi Salahkar Samiti (HSS) recently and wrote to Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in Hindi asking him to provide Hindi newspapers. After which, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has asked all airports and airlines to implement it. At present, no airline provides Hindi newspapers on board.
Swaraj added that promoting Hindi and regional languages is a priority of the government. “We are also trying to co-ordinate with other nations in this regard.”
MoCA officials said the minister’s letter has been sent to all airlines and airports and the aviation ministry has asked them to submit the action taken report soon.
owever, not all are happy with the decision. “Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai have no takers for Hindi newspapers. Also, it will be hard to procure copies of Hindi newspapers as most of them are North India-based,” a Bengaluru airport official said.
Another official with the Hyderabad airport, echoing the same, said, “When we contacted a newspaper’s marketing department, they said that due to no circulation in South India, they can only deliver copies to us by afternoon. Also, it would cost more.”