Can We do without English?

Points: The harmful slogan against English — Usefulness of English for modern science and technology — Its role in national integration.

             The cry of Angreji Hatao or “Drive English away” is a cry for putting the clock back. The inevitable result of downgrading English in parts of India has been a general decline of academic standards.
             Some of the Indian vernaculars have, no doubt, a rich and varied “literature of power” — poetry, novels, plays etc., but not “literature of knowledge”, books on Science, Technology, Law and Medicine etc. English at this stage is our only window to the world at large. It is through English that we keep track of all that is happening in Arts, Science, Technology, and in trade and commerce. In giving up English, we shall be, in fact, isolating ourselves from the advanced nations of the world; we shall lag behind modern science and modern civilization. That will mean stagnation and decay. The fanatics may scrap English? But that will give a blow to the unity and progress of the country.
             Without English we cannot keep our country one and united, we cannot communicate between one state and another. Without English we cannot communicate between one country and another, we cannot convene a non-aligned summit and have our deliberations. English is indispensable for a North-South dialogue within the country itself. We cannot simply do without English at this moment.

Discipline

Points: What it means — Examples from individuals and corporate lives — Its value.

             Discipline is the spirit of maintaining order. Discipline in human activities issues out of the discipline or control of the mind. In corporate life, the need for discipline is of primary importance. Standing in a queue, observing punctuality, maintaining order, helping women and children before helping oneself — all these are acts of discipline.
             In corporate life, where a large number of people live together, discipline is very much needed. Without it civilized life is impossible. If each and every car does not keep to the left, there will be road accidents all the time. Unless we respect a social code, we shall have the law of the jungle. The riots and street fights are the results of indiscipline on a large scale. An army is a fine example of the force of discipline. When a solider is shot down, another takes his place. If necessary an army will go on fighting to the last man. If, however, a rabble is fired upon, all the men will run away. It is the spirit of discipline which makes all the difference between an army and a rabble.
             True discipline, however, comes from a sense of dedication, not fear or compulsion. It adds grace and strength to our life.