Ayush Secretary suggests that those who don't speak Hindi could leave a meeting he is addressing, because he doesn't speak English well. Some have picked up on this as another example of Hindi imposition, but it's actually a better example of why ANY national approach won't work.

Given the diversity of the country, and the large differences within society in every part of it, we cannot realistically expect any one language to be adequate for a national conversation. That is just reality, and whatever solutions we propose must begin from that reality.

Hindi imposition does happen, and I've said in the past that the Department of Hindi Promotion should be abolished. But that only tells us what should not be done. More important should be to determine what should be done. And understanding why.

In the Federal Manifesto, I proposed we ditch 3-language formula, move to 3 formulae for language - (a) Learning in mother tongue is easier. (b) Familiarity with local language has social, economic & cultural value. (c) Access to marketplace languages increases opportunities.

An approach like this could easily apply to sarkar as well as to the marketplace. We should set goals of 'comprehension' and 'ease of participation' for the audience in each case, and then work back from there to decide what the language policy should be.

Placing the listener at the center of the policy is also the easiest way to uphold their dignity and rights. Too much of our language policy treats viewers and listeners as incidental. A classic case of doing the wrong thing and failing, while ignoring the alternate right option.

One proper step to take is to invest in a National Translation Service that both governments and businesses can participate in, and through it to aim for higher levels of comprehension and participation in both state and market.

One other thing - the states have done a very poor job of creating a proper language policy AMONG THEMSELVES. Even the states that are unhappy about 'imposition' have never taken the step of cooperating among themselves for an alternative. That could easily be a good first step.