Four centuries ago, none in India spoke English. Three centuries ago when the British started spreading their tentacles- our people started learning the language. We learnt it better in the ensuing years- more for our survival than the love of the language.
Since eons , Sanskrit has been spoken and learnt in India. In fact it was the language used as medium of correspondence and people all over the world still continue to study it .
The great Dr. Ambedkar had recommended ,Sanskrit to be made the official language post independence. Nehru with his colonial hangup refused it.
Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, was the second President of India and a great scholar of comparative religion and philosophy. He was also the recipient of the highest civilian honour 'Bharat Ratna'.
September 5 ,his birthday is thus celebrated in India as 'Teachers Day ' or in vernacular 'Shikshak Din'. The teacher has always been revered in India as a 'Guru'. The person who guides the pupil to enlightenment, to higher tiers in life.
Sanskrit is the language used in all Temples across India, including Tamilnadu . By tradition the word 'Guru' is referred to as Teacher.
I do not know why the Tamilnadu politicians have an issue with September 5 ,being referred to as -'Guru-Utsav' . Both words , Guru and Utsav being as old as the Tamil language if not older and most likely widely used by people in the state . Many unemployed politicians from the state are creating a ruckus over a non-issue.
Mind well the people of Tamilnadu would have no objection to their children writing an essay about their favourite teacher in their language, but the politicians cutting across party-lines have an issue.
Ludicrous and ridiculous
Dilip Apte
September 1 , 2014
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