Maharashtra government’s order asking schools to celebrate a Central government initiative–Hamara Vidyalay, Hamara Swabhiman–aimed at cultivating value-based outlook towards life among children has sparked a new debate over its title which is in Hindi.
Many have opposed the initiative’s title, arguing that the majority of government-run and aided schools, where this will be applicable, are Marathi medium schools and thus should have the title in Marathi language.
Government-run and aided schools in Maharashtra are asked to conduct Hamara Vidyalay, Hamara Swabhiman initiative on September 1, wherein students and teachers will collectively take a pledge for holistic development of the schools and its students. This initiative aims to cultivate in students a value-based outlook towards life, promoting discipline, national spirit, social harmony, care for school resources, and compliance with civic duties. In districts where schools are closed on Monday due to the festival, they are asked to conduct the initiative on September 2.
But the initiative’s Hindi title has sparked a new debate over the state’s insistence on Hindi. Sushil Shejule, coordinator of the Marathi School Management Association, said, “Just a few months ago, the Hindi language debate had forced the state government to review its decision. Yet its insistence on Hindi continues. There is no opposition to the initiative, but the state can rename it in Marathi language so that schools and students can relate to it.” Shejule highlighted that the majority of state-government-run and aided schools are Marathi medium schools.
Whereas Mahendra Ganpule, from Maharashtra State School Principals’ Association, pointed out that recently various such Central-government initiatives are implemented in the state with their Hindi title. “Initiatives such as ‘Ek ped ma ke naam’, ‘Meri Mitti’, have been implemented in the state with the same titles, due to which questions are raised on Hindi’s insistence by state government, especially after recent controversy over including Hindi as third language in schools,” he said.
Schools have also pointed out that conducting such initiatives has only led to an additional burden of co-curricular activities as the majority of them are duplications of existing initiatives run by the state government. “State government is already implementing–Mazi Shala Sundar Shala–where schools conduct activities that promote cleanliness, health and hygiene along with environmental conservation to foster a sense of responsibility among students. Whereas Mazi Shala Mazi Parasbag initiative includes planting trees to develop a garden in school,” said Shejule.
