Mumbai: The Railways has for the first time started a 20-week language course under its Hindi Pakhwada programme to popularise Hindi among its ranks, some of whom do not even know how to write the language.
“We are targeting those employees who are in the front line and have to face public on a larger scale, or staff in administrative jobs. Many of them cannot even write a letter in Hindi. But if asked to write in English, they do it very easily,” said a Western Railway (WR) official.
Central and Western Railway officials observe Hindi Pakhwada every year to promote the language. “Frankly, the pakhwada has become a formality over the years. These sessions called ‘parangat class’ have been introduced so that the employees can attend them and take the language seriously,” said the official.
According to a Railways study, Maharashtra is a B category state for Hindi after Uttar Pradesh and other north Indian states.
Second language
“Priority is always given to English and hence Hindi has become the second language. There are many employees who have a working knowledge of Hindi, and we are making them efficient. Our motto is to make Hindi the language of the Railways,” said the official.
Presently, the second round of classes is being conducted at Andheri station and 23 employees of the WR are attending them. The classes are for 20 weeks and are conducted weekly in the second half of the day. Twenty-five WR officials have completed the course in the first round.
As part of the exercise, a board has been placed on their desks, which reads Hindi me baat karne se khushi hogi (I will be happy if you talk in Hindi).
Making them experts
Roshni Khubchandani, senior Rajbhasha Officer, Mumbai Division, said, “A few employees have already completed the classes and some others have started. Training is being given to make them experts. Activities in writing and speaking are being conducted and employees are being given certificates.”
While the Western Railway will be celebrating its Hindi Pakhwada from September 14 to 28, the Central Railway started its 15-day programme on September 1.