By Dr Birbal Jha*
English should no longer be viewed as a colonial residue or a social marker, but rather as an empowering skill that can propel economic growth and social mobility. Mastering English can transform not just his life, but also the lives of thousands.
Don’t learn English to impress others — learn English to express yourself and progress in life. Although India produces 3.5 million graduates annually, less than 25% are deemed employable due to weak communication skills, especially in English. Pragmatic reforms are needed for integrating spoken English into vocational training and school curricula, particularly in rural India.
Modernity must not come at the cost of identity. Indians — particularly the youth — should embrace their linguistic, artistic, and traditional heritage, since cultural confidence forms the bedrock of personal dignity and national unity. A tree without roots cannot stand, and a society without culture loses its essence. However, let culture not be a relic of the past, but a living legacy for the future.
Culture, rooted in a globalised world, has a critical role in preserving individual and collective identity. Therefore, English must be seen as a tool of empowerment, not Westernisation. It is a livelihood language that can break the chains of poverty and unemployment. Global proficiency and local pride are not mutually exclusive. For example, while reviving the rich cultural heritage of Mithila, including Maithili language, Madhubani art, and folk traditions, promoting English simultaneously as a global bridge cannot be antithetical.
The moral vacuum threatens the social fabric in an era of rapid technological advancement and digital dominance. Rooted in the ancient Indian concept of Dharma, ethics — not merely laws — must guide public life, education, governance, and business. A deed may be legal and still be unethical. Ethics demand a higher standard of truthfulness, compassion, and accountability.
Value-based education and citizen-driven reform have a role in nurturing honesty, civic sense, and social responsibility. Real change begins within individuals, and not by outsourcing morality to laws or institutions. Let ethics be our light. Let society be our shared responsibility.
The concepts of language for livelihood, culture for identity, and ethics for society resonate deeply with India’s aspirations in the 21st century. There is a need for not just policy reforms, but also a societal movement that empowers the common Indian to thrive economically, stay rooted culturally, and act ethically.
Let us not merely teach English. Let us train for transformation. Let us not only celebrate culture. Let us live it. Let us not just preach ethics. Let us practice it. As India stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, there is a need for both a compass and a call to action. There is a need for a conscious cultural renaissance, ethical resurgence, and linguistic empowerment across India.
*The author is an educationist. The views expressed are personal.
