Delhi's Panch Pran Plaque Error Swiftly Corrected After Public Notice
Last week, this column highlighted a noticeable error on a golden-lettered plaque at the Department of Legal Affairs office in Shastri Bhawan, Delhi. The plaque, located on the fourth floor, incorrectly spelled "Panch Pran" as "Panch Praan" in Hindi. This mistake caught public attention because "Panch Pran" refers to the Five Pledges announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2022. These pledges are central to India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
By Thursday, The Indian Express found that the plaque had been corrected. The spelling now accurately reads "Panch Pran", aligning with the official terminology. This quick fix demonstrates responsiveness to such oversights in government offices.
Union Minister Pradhan's Tamil Outreach Amid Language Controversy
In a related development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been actively engaging in Tamil-language events over the past two weeks. This comes at a time when the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government is opposing the Centre's three-language formula in schools, viewing it as a push for Hindi imposition.
Pradhan's efforts include:
- Delivering a speech in Tamil at the valedictory event of Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Rameshwaram on December 30.
- Addressing the audience in Tamil again at the 56th anniversary of Thuglak magazine in Chennai on Tuesday.
Observers see this as a strategic move to ease tensions and promote multilingualism as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. By speaking in Tamil, Pradhan aims to bridge differences and emphasize the value of linguistic diversity in India.
Bihar Congress Faces Internal Dissent Over Feast Snub
Meanwhile, political drama unfolds in Bihar. Six Congress MLAs skipped the Makar Sankranti 'Dahi-Chura' feast at the party office in Patna on Monday. Their absence sparked rumors that they might be in contact with NDA leaders.
In response, these so-called "rebels" are organizing their own feast. They plan to gather on Friday at the Patna residence of former MLA Chhatrapati Yadav. Invitations have been extended to all state Congress leaders, including sitting MLAs and state unit president Rajesh Kumar. Kumar is reportedly involved in actions against dissidents for alleged anti-party activities during recent Assembly elections.
This move highlights ongoing internal strife within the Bihar Congress, as factions navigate loyalty and party discipline.
