The quality of English one encounters in the media – both in print as well as on television – has been a cause for concern.  Senior editors such as S Nihal Singh have agonised over the mangled English seen on television. Print has its own share of problems, and overall, many feel the average quality of writing has suffered over the years.

Such views in our newly resurgent India are dismissed by the younger generation, be it with regard to English or cricket. Old is not gold, they seem to assert. While there is merit in the argument, it may have precious little when it comes to English usage. Don’t take my word for it, but consider a British Council study.

According to a BBC report, “India is falling behind countries such as China” in teaching of English and what is more, China already may have overtaken India in the number of people who speak the language:
The study’s findings are disturbing for three reasons.

One, the world is catching up with India with regard to English proficiency. So much so, “the rate of improvement in the English language skills of the Indian population is at present too slow to prevent India from falling behind other countries…”

Two, the report says the English-language deficiency is a "casualty of wider problems in Indian education.”

Three, it concludes that “India will need many more people speaking English to sustain its economic growth.”

Together, these suggest:
•    India will lose its edge in industries such as outsourcing
•    India could continue to lag in quality education. Look at what the report says: “… Indian universities fall far short of rival countries in the quality of teaching and research, and "poor English is one of the causes.”
•    
I will now leave you with some questions:

So, how are we ever going to tap the so-called demographic dividend?

What are the likes of Mulayam Singh Yadav and other politicians who have opposed use of English going to say?

Over the years, West Bengal, in particular, has lamented its poor initiatives in English because it has lost out in the race to create BPO jobs. If we don’t take corrective action, the entire nation could be left ruing the lost opportunities.