Sunday, November 22, 2009

Anbu karangal visit

Today when i got up, i thought of doing something useful and decided to visit Anbu karangal, an orphanage for children and aged people. It is a home of 87 school children studying in different classes from L.K.G to tenth standard and 40 aged people. When I reached the home, I was welcomed with smile by a grandma and the loud voices of the kids studying in their study hall. It was their morning study hour. I was chatting with Mrs. Lakshmi, the founder of this home on the plans and need of the home for sometime. She said the daily routine and about children's education. Most of the kids are studying in the nearby Govt elementary school and others are in a private english medium school based on their interests. I felt a new world around me that made to sponsor education for a kid for one year and today's lunch for all inmates of the home. Suddenly,Sai Archana studying 3rd standard came to lakshmi to report her about a boy who was
sleeping in the study hour :). Archana is one of the kids doing good in education and is given an opportunity to learn carnatic music also. I asked her the name and asked her interests. She replied and asked so many questions to me from her GK book. I smiled for not knowing the answer. At the end, she accepted me as her friend and advised me to concentrate on GK (otherwise i will fail in GK):)

At 12.30 pm, children assembled at the hall for lunch. They started their prayer thanking Lord Krishna and Sai Ram for the days food. Then they prayed for good health and wealth to me and my friends and relatives and my surroundings. I dont know whether the prayer for me from those kids reached the ears of Lord krishna but it reached me and made feel happy and satisfied for what i had done. I was asked to serve the food to the children and aged people. Kids were busy eating and the aged people thanked and blessed me and asked to visit them often. I ate food with them there itself and left the home with tummy and hearts full :)

Photos taken using my mobile camera are here

Monday, November 16, 2009

National Language of India - Hindi?

Last week me and vins had a discussion on the languages in India. We were discussing about dravidian parties linguistic policies and we both felt that dravidian parties had done great in preserving the regional languages from hindi to a greater extent. While discussing, I mentioned that Hindi as the national language and it should be learnt in addition to Regional languanges. He opposed me saying hindi alone is not a national language and said there were 18 national languages. Since I have been under the impression that Hindi is the national language of India, I told him that he should learn civics again and all. I told that there are 18 constitutional language and official languages English and Hindi. But he was very strong in his stand saying 18 national languages and that made to me to google on this.

I found that we both were wrong! India does not have a national language. There is no article referring the National language in the Indian Constitution. English and Hindi are the official languages and the regional languages can be used if the official communication is within the regions. I spent 22 years thinking Hindi as the National Language of India!! very bad :(. An interesting definition on National Language - A Language that symbolizes the people of the nation, culture and history. In India every language defines the life of the people, history and culture and hence all languages in India are the National Languages of India.

I felt ashamed for not knowing this for years and hope you too feel the same reading this :). My tenth standard Civics master must be responsible for not letting me know this :)You too started blaming your school teachers..huh?