I was returning home from work yesterday. On my way back, I passed my favourite eatery, I noticed there was something different about it. I realised that the huge "Mc Donalds's" signboard had been replaced with the one that had the name written in Devnagari script. Unaware of the fact, I assumed it was some kind of marketing strategy to appeal to the local market.
I admit, lately I haven't kept myself updated with the local news (read without local, cause these days I dont know whats happening anywhere for that matter!!)
Today, after I returned home from work, I was just relaxing with a cup of hot tea. I picked up the newpaper lying closeby. A title captured my attention "Signboard deadline ends today". Curiously, I started reading. After reading just a few lines I felt irritated.
This is what I read - " Fear and confusion gripped shopkeepers and businessmen across the capital on Wednesday, the eve of a municipal deadline to put up Marathi signboards, as Raj Thackeray's maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena, stepped up to enforce its rules" (The Indian Express, dated - August 28, 2008).
Yes, the media has its own style of writing to grab the reader attention. And it doesnt end there, they do it with words that make an emotional connection with the reader and sometimes end up blowing things out of proportion. But staying in Mumbai for the last 2 decades I know a little about the political party, I dont doubt what was written in the article. Ridiculous as the whole issue may be, I am not surprised!!
This, I thought was another move to restrict westernization, as most of their actions have always been for the same "cause"!!
I cant help wondering how people can give so much importance to silly things and make a big deal out of something I dont even classify as an "issue", while they take the liberty to turn a blind eye towards real issues.
Why not give the businessmen (and all those concerned) the right to display their signboards in any language(s) of their choice. Let it be upto the marketing/sales team to plan the stratergies to promote their business in any local market.
Asking them to have the signboard in Devanagari script is fine but why do away with English. Atleast 60% of Mumbai's population can read English and the remaining 40% who cant, trust me are smart enough to understand what is being sold in which shop. Irrespective of the signboard language, all this time the businesses were functioning. In the real sense it is the products and services and not the language of the signboard that promotes any business. Having the singboard in a local language is just to connect with the people.
After all this time, now, why is it such a big deal to if the signboards are just in English? Just as I am still wondering about the whole thing, I happen to see another column adjacent to this article.
Under the shops and Establishments Act, 1961, businesses that do not display their names in Devanagari script can be fined between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000.
This rule, however, does not mention the following :-
1. Treatening and forcing people to have signboards in Devnagari script.
2. The Devnagari script must be the boldest (in case the name is mentioned in other languages too).
A tiny percentage of businessmen are retaliating against this move.Some might say "whats the big deal...just add another language..finish it off..thats all".To those people, all I would like to ask is - how many times and how low are we going to bow down to their whims and fancies?
Its not about the fuss in displaying a signborad in the Devnagari Script. Its about :-
1. Giving so much importance to something that really doesnt matter while other issues are neglected.
2. Instilling fear among citizens...(heading towards dictatorship..ohh i think we have arrived there !!)
People should have freedom to choose if they wish to celebrate Valentine's Day or not.(If Teacher's day, children's day, Friendship day is all ok...then why not valentine's day)
We boast about being secular. Its our culture to live in peace and harmony with one another. It only shows how superficial all this is when "its campaign against north India migrants".
Instead of cribbing about "Bombay should be called Mumbai" or "why isnt there a statue of Shivaji at this crossroad"...
Wouldn't it be better if we focus on growth, welfare of the citizens and providing better civic aminities???
No wonder after all these years we are still a "developing nation" !
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Wool-gathering
6 years ago
