Some Bharatiya people don't know our own languages: RSS chief Bhagwat
Nagpur (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday expressed concern over the declining use of Indian languages and mother tongues, saying the situation has reached a point where "some Bharatiya people do not know our own languages".
Speaking at a book release event in Nagpur, Bhagwat appealed to society to introspect on the erosion of linguistic heritage.
"There was a time when entire communication, sharing, daily business was in Sanskrit. Now, some American professor teaches us Sanskrit, when in reality we should have been teaching it to the world. Many children today do not know some very basic and simple words and often speak at home in a mix of their mother tongue and English," he said.
"The situation has reached a point where some Bharatiya people do not know our own Indian languages," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief said.
He maintained that English-medium education was not to blame, but the reluctance to speak Indian languages at home was aggravating the situation.
"If we speak our language properly in our home, things would be better. But we do not do it," he said.
Even seers now reach out in English, which is understandable, but still indicative of changing linguistic preferences, Bhagwat noted.
Referring to Sant Dnyaneshwar, he said the saint brought the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi for a better understanding of society.
"Now the problem is that there are not enough words in the English language that capture the essence and depth of the thoughts or concepts expressed in our languages. A single word used by Dnyaneshwar often requires multiple English words without fully conveying the intended meaning," he said.
Citing an example, he pointed to Kalpavruksha, the wish-fulfilling tree from mythology in Indian tradition.
"How will you translate Kalpavruksha in English?" Bhagwat asked, stressing the limitations of translating culturally rich concepts into a foreign language. He said such examples highlight why Indian languages must be preserved and strengthened.
Bhagwat further said that Indian philosophical traditions emphasise unity despite physical differences.
"Where there is faith, we all are an expression of the one," he said, recalling how a seer once told foreign visitors that debating whether there is one God or many was unnecessary since the existence of the divine itself was central.
Bhagwat said the Indian tradition teaches people to think beyond individual interests and consider the welfare of families and communities. "This has been told to people in different words and different formats," he said.
Bhagwat said that debates on whether the Bhagavad Gita emphasises knowledge or action overlook its holistic approach.
"Like a bird cannot fly without wings, we need two wings - knowledge and karma - and the bird itself is your faith. Knowledge without faith is like (demon king) Ravana," he added.
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Regulator DGCA eases flight duty norms for pilots amid IndiGo crisis
Mumbai (PTI): Aviation watchdog DGCA on Friday eased the flight duty norms by allowing substitution of leaves with a weekly rest period amid massive operational disruptions at IndiGo, according to sources.
As per the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, "no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest", which means that weekly rest period and leaves are to be treated separately. The clause was part of efforts to address fatigue issues among the pilots.
Citing IndiGo flight disruptions, sources told PTI that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to withdraw the provision 'no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest' from the FDTL norms.
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"In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision," DGCA said in a communication dated December 5.
The gaps in planning ahead of the implementation of the revised FDTL, the second phase of which came into force from November 1, have resulted in crew shortage at IndiGo and is one of the key reasons for the current disruptions.
#BREAKING: #DGCA relaxes a clause which debarred airlines to club leaves with weekly rest to mitigate #IndiGo crisis
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) December 5, 2025
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