With reference to the Weekend feature, "The imprint of Hindutva" (September 12), Gorakhpur-based Gita Press's books are reasonably-priced and are a treasure trove of Hindu mythology. Its annual pocket diaries have information on the almanac. Gita Press has opened a branch on Princess Street in Mumbai.
This reminds me of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha that teaches courses in Hindi language in Chennai. As a school student, I had witnessed the violent anti-Hindi agitation in Chennai (then Madras) in the late 1960s. A mob belonging to a political party came to our school and forced the students to join them in throwing stones at schools that taught Hindi. The Sabha survived this agitation. It is thriving now and has made a name for itself in Chennai and fortunately, the importance of HIndi language has been realised.
Gone are those days when there were no Hindi advertisements on Madras Doordarshan. Now the government's social messages are telecast in Hindi on Chennai Doordarshan.
We need more organisations like Gita Press and Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha. Even in the capitals of south Indian states, the knowledge of Hindi helps those who arrive there from the northern states.
Deendayal M Lulla Mumbai
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