Dehradun: The status of Hindi, the mother tongue of millions, has become a matter of concern. A writing competition organized by a Hindi newspaper in collaboration with the Postal Department has revealed that children in Dehradun schools are struggling to write even basic Hindi words correctly.
Students from classes 8 to 11 participated in the competition, which aimed to encourage creative writing. However, while reading the letters, organizers found that most students could not spell common words like sarkar (government), karan (reason), school, samadhan (solution), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, shahar (city), akhbar (newspaper), and nivas (resident). Shockingly, many students were unable to write their own names properly.
Why Hindi is Suffering
Experts say that schools are giving more importance to foreign languages such as English, German, and Italian, while Hindi is being sidelined. Even CBSE-affiliated schools in Dehradun are facing this issue. Nearly 90 percent of students showed poor spelling and writing skills in Hindi.
The situation is worsened by the fact that some schools impose fines on children for speaking Hindi. Students reported being fined 10, 15, or 20 rupees for using Hindi instead of English. This has created an environment where children feel ashamed of their mother tongue.
Expert Suggestions
Dr. Alka Mohan, Head of the Hindi Department at MKP PG College, said that the habit of reading Hindi newspapers and books daily can improve language skills. She advised children to read stories, poems, and children’s literature to increase vocabulary. Writing practice is equally important. “Children should be encouraged to write a paragraph or description of their experiences every day. This will improve spelling and expression,” she explained.
Responsibility of Parents and Teachers
The problem is not limited to children alone. Teachers are not giving Hindi the same priority as other subjects, and parents are not encouraging children to read Hindi literature at home. Instead, families are satisfied if their children speak English fluently. Experts believe that unless parents and teachers take responsibility, the situation will not improve.
Schools should organize special classes
To restore Hindi’s importance, schools should organize special classes on Hindi writing, reading, and grammar. Encouraging children to read Hindi newspapers and literature regularly can help. At the same time, society must stop treating English as the only measure of intelligence.
The writing competition has exposed a serious issue: Hindi is losing ground among children in Dehradun schools. If immediate steps are not taken, the mother tongue may continue to weaken. Experts stress that with collective effort from schools, parents, and society, Hindi can regain its rightful place.