CAN’T SPEAK ENGLISH, BUT NEVER FELT OUT OF PLACE: CM GEHLOT

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, while addressing a programme to mark the ‘Hindi Diwas’ at the auditorium of the SMS Medical College in Jaipur on Wednesday, said that he can’t speak English even today, however, he never felt ‘out of place’ about it. Gehlot said, “In the initial period, they did not like English in the North. After a few years of independence, Hindi books were burnt in the South. I am one of those persons, who opposed English during that time. Today I am in the government, so I am opening an English Medium School in the village because English has become an international language.”

The Chief Minister said the formula of Hindi, English and local language came in 1965 when the movement took place. “There is a committee of Parliament of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It goes to every state to find out how much progress has been made in Hindi Department. It is only a formality. The committee goes, has a meeting, it doesn’t make any sense. Hindi has progressed in our country. The credit for that goes to Bollywood,” the Chief Minister said. Interestingly, Gehlot said that he cannot speak English. “I have never felt out of place for not knowing English. I think Hindi language speakers are able to express emotions better.” Higher Education Minister Rajendra Yadav was also present in the programme. 400 students of the state, who topped class 12th were also felicitated in the event. On this occasion, he honoured Dr Gunjan Garg and Dr Gopal Kabra with the ‘Hindi Seva Puraskar’ for excellent writing in the field of Medicine and released the Golden Jubilee issue of “Bhasha Vimarsh.” The Chief Minister also honoured 393 students who got 100% marks in Hindi subject.