The Minister reiterated several times that Hindi will not be allowed to be imposed. While the comments of him about Hindi imposition echoes the stand of Dravidian Movement for nearly a century, the reference to Hindi speaking people with Pani puri sellers has irked many in Coimbatore which hosts a very prominent, influential and prosperous Hindi speaking community.
Coimbatore: The 37th Graduation Ceremony of Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore was held today.
Governor of Tamil Nadu R.N Ravi, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi and former ISRO chief K. Sivan were the special guests at the function, which was chaired by R. N. Ravi.
Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy speaking in the presence of the Governor at the event, "Tamil Nadu is the best state in education," Bharathiar said. Governor is often quoting Bharathiyar. The Governor will praise the development and higher education of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has the highest gross enrollment of 53% in higher education. This is the Dravidian model.
Shiva and I studied in Tamil medium. Shivan has risen to the level of ISRO chief only by studying in the Tamil language. I got my doctorate and am a minister today.
Governor, we are not against any language, especially Hindi. Additional language learning should be an opportunity but not a compulsion.”
We are not against Hindi. We just oppose the Hindi opposition. English is an international language. Tamil is the local language. When English is enough to speak to the world and Tamil is enough to speak to us, why impose Hindi on us?
Two languages are sufficient. Studying a third language should be an option. When asked about the principle of language, Anna said that there is a separate way for the cat and a separate way for the mouse. We can communicate with other states in English that speaks to the world. They say you can get a job if you study Hindi. But the Pani Puri sellers in our town are Hindi speakers.
We are ready to accept the positive aspects of the new education policy. But, the trilingual policy cannot be accepted. There should be a separate education policy and language policy as for Tamil Nadu. That is why the Chief Minister has set up a committee to divide the Tamil Nadu state education policy. I am recording this here as the voice of the state government. I hope the governor understands the feelings of the state and the feelings of the students.
Tamil and English are compulsory here. Hindi is not mandatory here. You can learn Malayalam or Kannada as a third language too. For that, we must create opportunities. But, Hindi language should not be imposed as it should be studied.
7.5% reservation in engineering and vocational courses has been given to government school students so that there will be no drop in education.
I hope the Governor will understand the sentiments of Tamil Nadu and help us. The sentiments of the state should be communicated to the Union Government," said Minister Ponmudy.
While the comments of the Minister of Higher Education about Hindi echoes the stand of the Dravidian Movement for nearly a century, the reference to Hindi speaking people as Pani puri sellers has irked many in Coimbatore which hosts a very prominent, influential and prosperous Hindi speaking community.