10/07/2023
Probably the first visual depiction of Hindi in Arunachal Pradesh.The film "Meri Maa Mera Dharam" (1976).Hindi as a language came only during the post-colonial era,but Hindi became popular around the decade of 70s, when the medium of education was changed from Assamese to English(addition of Hindi as a second language).The popularity of Hindi was because of Arunachal Pradesh's diverse tongues,noted scholar G.N Devy gives out an estimate of around 90 languages,a langauge to communicate among diverse linguistic groups become necessary,this role was originally filled by Nefamese.Later on the role of Nefamese(an Assamese pidgin) as a lingua franca was eaten up by Hindi,since teachers,guides, officials among others were recruited from the Hindi belt,Hindi filled the vaccum created by Assamese/Nefamese,it only took 10 years,to replace Assamese in Arunachal Pradesh.Today around 90% of the people in Arunachal Pradesh can speak Hindi,and it has even transformed into a creole of its own with native speakers,who display unique features that distinguishes it from "Mānak Hindī(Standard Hindi).
The conversation between the children shows,the struggle one faces while learning a foreign tongue.
