Why being clear and using English matters for India

Time of India

23-05-2025

A Close Call:
One night in 1983, something really scary almost happened. A Soviet officer named Stanislav Petrov saw warning signs on his computer that said enemy missiles were coming. But it was just sunlight fooling the machines. Petrov didn't panic. He trusted his instincts and didn't call for an attack. If he had, it could have started a huge war. This shows how dangerous misunderstandings can be.
Misunderstandings Happen:
Even people who speak the same language can get confused. In 1951, during a battle near Seoul, a British officer said, 'Things are a bit sticky,' which meant they were in big trouble. But an American general thought it wasn't serious and didn't send help. As a result, many soldiers were captured. One small misunderstanding made a big difference.
India's New Way of Talking to the World:
To avoid these kinds of problems, India is now sending smart and experienced leaders to talk to other countries. They want to explain clearly how some serious issues, like terrorism, affect India. These leaders are visiting 33 countries, including Japan and the UAE. This is called diplomacy — the way countries talk and work together.
Why English Is Important:
When you're talking to people from many countries, you have to be very clear the first time. That's why using the right language matters. And that language is often English. Even India's Prime Minister Modi uses English in important moments to make sure the message is clear to the world.
English Around the World:
English isn't the most spoken language at home, but it's the most learned language in the world — 1.5 billion people can speak it! It's used in business, diplomacy, and even on car logos. That's why English is called a 'lingua franca' — a language many different people use to understand each other.
More Than Just Words:
English is powerful in music, movies, and books too. For example, even though Austria won the Eurovision song contest, they won with a song in English. People in countries like Germany and the Netherlands speak great English because they know how useful it is.
What This Means for India:
In India, over 140 million people speak English. That's more than double the entire population of the UK! Knowing English doesn't make us less Indian — just like speaking English doesn't make a German person less German. Learning more languages only helps us grow.
The Big Idea:
We should be proud that so many Indians speak English. It helps us connect with the world, share our ideas, and understand others better. English is a tool — and the better we use it, the stronger and smarter India becomes.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.