Former Infosys CFO and investor TV Mohandas Pai strongly supports multilingual education. He believes it significantly boosts job opportunities across India.
Moreover, he praised the three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP). According to him, it helps professionals work across different regions.
"Learning more languages enables people to work across India. It is a very big skill, and the three-language formula has given us great mobility in work. It is a big competitive advantage," Pai wrote on X.
Learning more languages enable people to work across India. It is a very big skill and the 3 language formula has given us great mobility in work. It is a big competitive advantage https://t.co/MM5PdwSpBH
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) March 16, 2025
Experts Defend Multilingual Education
Meanwhile, many education leaders agree with Pai. Although some people question its relevance, experts argue that it offers long-term benefits.
Earlier, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw also defended the NEP’s focus on multilingualism. She responded to a user on X who called the policy a "total waste of time." Instead, she argued that speaking multiple languages is a valuable skill.
"Being multilingual is a talent, which few possess. Making it part of the formal education system is a good way of developing such skills early on in life," she wrote. Furthermore, she added, "I speak six languages, and it’s hugely helpful."
Likewise, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy shared her experience. She said, "I have always believed that one can learn multiple languages, and I myself know 7-8 languages. I enjoy learning, and children can benefit greatly from it."
Tamil Nadu Opposes NEP
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu has strongly rejected the three-language formula. As a bold move, the state government removed the Devanagari rupee symbol from its 2025-26 budget logo and replaced it with a Tamil letter.
As a result, tensions between Tamil Nadu and the Centre have escalated. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the Central government of trying to impose Hindi through NEP. Additionally, he called it a "saffron policy" aimed at promoting Hindi instead of benefiting the country.
Ultimately, this dispute highlights the deep divide between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over language policies. The debate over multilingual education continues across India.