| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Write some implications of Imparting medical education in Hindi. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
Recently, the Union Home Minister released the MBBS textbooks in Hindi, as part of Madhya Pradesh government’s efforts to impart medical education in Hindi. The textbooks of 3 subjects– medical biochemistry, anatomy and medical physiology- were released in Bhopal, making the state the first in India to offer MBBS course in Hindi.
Implications of imparting medical education in Hindi:
- It will be helpful in accessing medical education among rural students as there is lack of English knowledge.
- Imparting education in the students’ mother tongue paves way for effective learning.
- The medical fraternity fear that this move would cause disruptions similar to the one caused by the shift from NEET exam pattern to NeXt.
- There is also concern that switching the medium of instruction would complicate the teaching process, given how the teaching faculty have themselves been taught in English. Professors and other teaching staff would also need to be trained.
- Hindi and other vernacular languages offer very few resources to support India’s large employment-seeking population. On the other hand, learning English comes with a better chance at ensuring a good living standard.
- With specific reference to the recently released textbooks, readers have criticized the transliterations for being sub-par and reading like ‘cheap quality guides’.
- It may stir up anti-Hindi agitations, especially among the southern states which are criticizing the move as a mere poll gimmick.
Before deciding to phase out English, there is a need to establish a sound system for translating the various books, research papers and journals that are continuously churned out by the international medical community. Our focus right now should be to develop primary resources.
