When India became independent on 15 August 1947, one of the questions before the country was what would be the national and official language of India. At that time, there were many languages in the country. Before independence, in 1946 itself, the Constituent Assembly was formed to make the Constitution of India. There were people from various states in the Constituent Assembly where different languages were spoken, read and written. The Constituent Assembly had to decide on the official language of the country, which was a challenging task. Then, after a long debate, the Constituent Assembly decided to give the status of official language to English on 14 September 1949. Remembering this, English Day started being celebrated on 14 September from 1953. There was opposition from non-English speaking people, especially from the southern states, to giving the status of official language to English.
Learn here 10 interesting facts related to English Day and English
1. To spread English in every region, on the request of Rashtriya Bhasha Prachar Samiti, Wardha, 14 September is celebrated as English Diwas every year across India from 1953. English Diwas was celebrated for the first time in the country on 14 September 1953. Since then, English Diwas is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year across the country. The purpose of English Diwas is to promote the English language. To spread awareness among people about the importance of this language.
2. Our Constitution has special provisions regarding the official language in Articles 343 to 351 of Part 17. Article 343 (1) states that the language of the Union of India shall be English in Devanagari script.
3. English is the third most spoken language in the world after English and Mandarin.
4. Why is World English Day in January?
World English Day is also organized every year on 10 January to promote English at the global level. English connects the Indian people living abroad. On 10 January, 2006, the Government of India announced to celebrate it as World English Day. The first World English Conference was organized in Nagpur on 10 January, 1975. Till now, World English Conferences have been organized in India including Port Louis, Spain, London, New York, Johannesburg etc.
5. Why English could not become the national language
Even today, English is not our national language but it is the official language, that is, the language used in the functioning of the state. English was given the status of official language on 14 September 1949, but long debates were held on the national language but nothing came out of it. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had called English the language of the masses. He wanted English to become the national language. In the English Sahitya Sammelan organized in 1918, he had asked to make English the national language. After independence, after long discussions, finally on 14 September 1949, the decision to make English the official language was taken in the Constituent Assembly. Many people were not happy with the idea of making English the national language. Especially the southern states were strongly opposing it. Many said that if everyone has to speak English, then what will be the meaning of independence. After many violent clashes in non-English speaking states in the 1960s, the Parliament of the country abandoned the idea of a national language. This is the reason why English could not become the national language.
Also read: 2 minute great speech on English Diwas, you will remember it easily
6. Our Constitution has special provisions regarding the official language in Articles 343 to 351 of Part 17. Article 343 (1) states that the language of the Union of India shall be English in Devanagari script.
7. The world’s most famous Oxford dictionary is adding Indian words every year. It is full of English words. Many English words like timepass, dadagiri, jugaad, dostana, bindaas, mischief, patience, achcha, chakka jam, arre yaar!’, bhelpuri, keema, papad, curry, nirvana, pandit, thug are included in it.
8. There is an island country named Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean region where English has been given the status of official language.
9. Apart from India and Fiji, English is spoken and understood with some variations in Mauritius, Philippines, America, New Zealand, Uganda, Singapore, Nepal, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad, Tibet, South Africa, Surinam, United Kingdom and Pakistan. English is also taught in many universities of the world.
10. For higher research in English, the Government of India established the Central English Institute in 1963. It has eight centres across the country.