 |
|
stumped: BMC Standing Committee Chairman Ravindra Waikar is a prime supporter of implementing Marathi as the language in all BMC official correspondence |
"Kaha se words laaye ho?" questioned a puzzled Waikar. He could only decipher one of the five words. MiD DAY found BMC's agenda copies peppered with them and many more such words. Waikar said, "I agree the words are tough. We will ask the corporation to simplify it."
The BMC has made Marathi the official language for all correspondence from June 25.
Of all the BMC officials MiD DAY quizzed, only Mayor Shubha Raul got all the words right.
Hira Bhujbal, a Marathi professor, said, "It is a good idea to promote Marathi language and keep it as the official language. However, attention should be paid to the use of simple words that are used in day-to-day language. The common man should be able to understand them and not run looking for a dictionary."
Congress and NCP corporators had registered their protests against making Marathi mandatory in the BMC stating it would hamper their work. Congress corporator Amin Patel, said, "More than 70 BMC corporators prefer reading the committee agendas in English. Usage of such tough Marathi words will make it tough for us to understand".
Voices
Dr Aditi Lele, resident of Kandivli:
"I feel Marathi should be used in a simpler form if the BMC wants to popularise it and reach out to more people."
Ketaki Bhirdikar, accounts professional and resident of Thane:
"Mumbai is a metropolitan city and the language used for official purpose should keep in mind the convenience of everyone."
Ambarish Bendre, software engineer:
"I don't agree with the BMC's decision. Eighty per cent of Maharashtrians can't understand hi-grade Marathi. Also, I feel Mumbai being a metropolitan city, both Marathi and English should be used."
Kunal Pradhan, marketing professional and resident of Borivli:
"In theory it may sound great, but I think it isn't a positive move and defeats the purpose of popularising Marathi. They should use simple language and reintroduce English."
How to survive without knowing Marathi
- Spend a few days with the traffic cops at our signals. You are surely to pick up lines like: "chala side var ghya gaadi", as cops admonish motorists to pull over. Motorists might argue, "aaho, jaau dya na" (let us go) as they plead with the men in charge. There you are, a few lessons learnt already.
- Watch a slew of Marathi movies and TV serials and get a kind and patient Maharashtrian friend to give you a sense of what is going on.
- Blab on rapidly in a lingo which is hard to comprehend for anybody (even for yourself) when you are asked to speak in Marathi. Tell the world this is Marathi with a Hungarian accent (huh), since you have spent a lot of your life in Hungary, this is how you speak.
- Visit authentic Maharashtrian foodie joints. Speak quickly in English and then throw in a chaha (remember it is cha-ha not chai) pohe at end of the sentence. The listener will be lulled into thinking you know the lingo, a mix of Marathi-English is alright, for Hing-lish is so in right now.
- Finally, spend a lot of time at public places jotting down Marathi terms and throw them at people till they slip off your tongue. A few of these can be, "haaka naka maaru (don't shout), aikla kaay (heard that) ho (yes) nahi (no).
- Attend lavani performances and look out for what the anchor says, not what the dancer does. Soon, the lavani and the lingo will do a tango on your tongue.
Meanings
Mitvyae: Less expenditure
Dekaar: Payment
Vakranalika: Coiled pipelines
Tantrik Patrata: Technical eligibility
Niranjan Sayantra: Sterilisation of a plant
