LANGUAGE IS NOT JUST A TOOL —IT’S A BRIDGE.THE MORE WE CROSS,THE RICHER OUR JOURNEY BECOMES.

In some parts of India, only a single-language education program is offered. But how can people in such regions truly experience the richness of India’s diverse cultures, poetry, art, music, dance, and drama? Ironically, while some Indians remain limited to one language, people from other parts of the world have begun to appreciate the beauty and depth of Indian languages—many even becoming scholars in them.

Sadly, in many areas, education does not extend beyond the primary or middle school level. Access to skill development or vocational training is often minimal or non-existent.
Back in the 1950s, I was fortunate to attend a middle school that offered instruction in three languages: Tamil, Malayalam, and English. Many of the English-medium students came from more privileged backgrounds, but the curriculum was the same across all three mediums. English-medium students were also required to learn an Indian language. This ensured that students across different language streams could interact and build friendships.

A remarkable feature of our school was the inclusion of extracurricular activities within school hours. Track and field events, games, gardening, arts, and crafts were all part of the weekly schedule. When we progressed to high school, we were introduced to vocational skills like carpentry, smithy work, plumbing, electric wiring, first aid, and even camping—all taught with some theoretical grounding. These practical experiences proved incredibly helpful later in life, whether we pursued engineering, medicine, or simply needed to fix things around the house.

Unfortunately, such a holistic and multilingual model existed in only a small percentage of Indian schools. Most schools struggled with limited resources, offering education in just one language and minimal cultural or vocational exposure. So how will these students gain the broader experience
needed to understand other cultures or qualify for careers in technology, medicine, or skilled trades? Where will they find livelihood opportunities?

Many are left with no option but to migrate to more developed regions of India. There, they must learn a new language—and often, their employers or colleagues learn the migrant’s language too, creating an enriching exchange. Thankfully, many migrants have been received with compassion, given jobs, food, and education in their new surroundings. This has led to their children marching steadily toward social advancement.

So, let’s offer and encourage the learning of another Indian language—not force it, but make it available and appealing. This will help everyone feel more connected, more Indian. At the same time, we must not block access to foreign languages, which open doors to fields like technology, medicine, and law.

ONE LANGUAGE, TWO LANGUAGES, THREE LANGUAGES – THE MORE, THE MERRIER! more