13 Nov 2011 - QA 3

How does one ensure that local languages survive?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If local languages need to survive, people must have a sense of pride in that region and language.
Hindi, our national language wouldn't have survived too. The film industry has given a lot of support for this. Actors, singers and many others in the film industry have contributed to this.
Everyone needs to come together to ensure that the language survives. The use of local language must be increased in Schools, Colleges and homes.
Today in Colleges, most of the students listen mainly to English songs. We did not know even one English song during our College days! Though I have toured many countries, I don't have the habit of listening to the music from those countries. I just know the songs that are sung at satsang.
Whenever an international singer comes to Mumbai, people listen to those songs with their jaws wide open! I get surprised! We have so many singers in our country, but there is not much encouragement to them. That is why we have undertaken various programs to encourage our cultural talent. There is still a lot left to do.