While it is commendable that people attach much regard and respect to their mother tongue, the implementation of the three-language policy in letter and spirit, where people learn a third language in addition to their native tongue and English, will improve their overall marketability, UGC Chairman Ved Prakash said here on Sunday.
Delivering the convocation address at the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Prakash said the three-language formula was envisaged to usher in national unity. “It is not just about others learning Hindi. I am of the opinion that if it is necessary for the development of Indianness that non-Hindi speakers should learn Hindi, it is also necessary that the Hindi speaking population should be given the opportunity to learn other languages.” The UGC Chairman said the skill of articulating in a coherent manner was something missing among a majority of students in the country. While sound technical knowledge was a necessity, unless the student was able to convey what he learnt in a fluent manner, such learning would have little benefit.
“In most colleges, the gift of the gab is missing among the students. This is something which has to be focused on primarily. In this regard, competent bilingual group will always have an edge over its counterparts,” he pointed out and added that modern India also needed a scientific approach in teaching languages so that it is taken to the masses through technology.
Earlier, about 3671 students received their degree certificates in person from the Sabha. About 5 lakh students appear for the examinations conducted through the 4 provincial sabhas of Andhra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.