Gujarat Varnacular Societyno Itihas Part 02

Author(s): Hiralal Tribhuvandas Parekh
Publisher: Hiralal Tribhuvandas Parekh

Page 50

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by themselves knowing English, and thus having full access to the latest improvement in knowledge of every kind; impart to their fellow countrymen, through the medium of their mother tongue, the information which they have thus obtained." The efforts put forth in this direction during the last quarter of a century, partly by means of translations or adaptations of standard works in English, and partly by means of original compositions, have given a certain impetus to the cultivation of vernacular literatures, but the results so far have not, it must be admitted, been very satisfactory. On the contrary they have shown in but too glaring a manner the need of having a much larger class of educated rative gentlemen who, having themselves received the benefits of high culture; are imbued with a strong desire to communicate the knowledge they have acquired to the masses of their Countrymen through the medium of the varnaculars. The formation of such a class of men of letters is mainly dependent upon the maintenance of higher educational institu tions under the direct control of Government; as under that condition alone, can the quality of education, needed for the purpose, be imparted to youths in this country. Firmly impressed with this belief, we are of opinion that any withdrawal of direct State control would have the effect of postponing for an indefinite period, the advancement of the masses of the people by means of knowledge communicated through the medium of their mother tongue.