Hopes and Impediment gives an insight from a story Ambiguous Adventure that I quote here “in the first part of the story the proud rulers of the Diallobe people-bearers of the crescent of Islam in the west African savannah for upon a thousand years- are suffering traumatic anguish of defeat from French imperial arms, and pondering what the future course of their life should be. Should they be send their children to the new French school or not? After a long and anguished debate they finally opt for the school but not on the admission that their own institution are inferior to those of the French nor on the aspiration that they should become like the French in due course, but rather on the tactical grounds only they must learn from their new masters ‘the art of conquering without being right’. The trouble with their decision, however, is that the children, these ‘wanderers on delicate feet’ as poet Senghor might have called them, these infant magi launched into an ambiguous journey with an ambivalent mandate to experience, are doomed from the start to distress and failure”.
The ‘art of conquering without being right’ is where English language need to be placed in Indian context too. Chinua Achebe brilliant observations over the decades have much significance in understanding post colonial societies. Nandan Nilekani (one of the guy who runs successful IT Company Infosys) recently wrote a book Imagining 
India (the earlier part of the discussion on the Net was the money he got for the book!!. It is quite a decent book with some insights and lots sincere of efforts. But some part he shifts from Imagining India to Imagined India!!. His views are essentially that of a businessman, the tunnel view is rather apparent. I though find the book quite interesting and therefore a good buy. Bargained from pavement for 120Rs. The book is definitely not worth 700Rs…seriously I don’t know why books are so costly these days?). Nilekani spends a chapter on English language (referring it as ‘Phoenix tongue’ yes the historical contexts are well researched and written quite lucidly); however it is obvious that his concerns are that of a pragmatic businessman. In the process though the insights are valuable and helps understand “art of conquering without being right”. Clearly English in this part of the world enhances career opportunity but the examples he gives are quite a give away of the prevailing mentality. An English trainer says in the book which Nilekani quotes “they know that if they learn English before they move to the city, they will land much better paying jobs. It’s the difference between working as construction worker or being the manager of the construction team”. Nilekani goes on ecstatically on different examples on ‘phoenix language’. This blogger has nothing against English but the idea that English defines merit is a hogwash that has started to define incredible mediocre India. But then Nilekani is running a BPO too so his tunnel view is not awkward at all. Anyway we should be thankful that he didn’t give example like “the difference between construction worker and engineer is English” which might seem funny but many in India do think it is serious!!. And in many cases that precisely is the difference. Why do you think such atrocious building are being made?. Maybe he is right these jobs don’t really require any competence the reason why they are high on English based merit. It is about how ‘we’ are comfortable with ‘them’ rather than how competent they are.
The difference between a manager and a construction worker is English works well with “art of conquering without being right”. The phoenix language is harbinger of mediocrity in Indian context is quite uncomfortable reality for Indian elite. Since that would be looking on to oneself, the constructed merit falls short of competence required for the job.
This blogger as stated has nothing against English, realizes that people are economically and socially insecure and that associating oneself with English (as also western sensibilities) has substantial benefits in the contemporary world. I am appalled that English is not taught in some government primary schools. Every child should have access to English language otherwise it need to be considered as denying basic right, it is as much handicapping the child. English should be essential part of primary education. Studies by linguists (in particular Chomsky) have shown beyond doubt that a child can grasp atleast three languages before he/she reaches age of 8 or 9. Indeed most Indians are multilingual so English could be an easy addition. But yes a child should be taught in mother tongue otherwise it will crush children “the wanderers on delicate feet”. “Saraswat Brahmins” like Nilekani “can see the opportunity” where ordinary mortals like us may not is gloating of the mediocre market driven society we live in (again it is well researched book and a written with lots of sincerity, and I strongly suggest it. Nelikani is a great guy).
If every one becomes comfortable in English then “art of conquering without being right” will not work. Incidentally there is nothing to conquer but yes it will make us understand, it will help to bring out the truth. The truth that those who blabber English are not necessarily competent. And that competence is much bigger term that has to do with life and society we live in. Surely this probably will create a system wherein merit will start reflecting competence. And society becomes empathetic to surrounding.
