Vernacular

And no scheme of self-government, however benevolently or generously it may be bestowed upon us, will ever make us a self-governing nation, if we have no respect for the languages our mothers speak.

End of Vernaculars as Media of Instruction Swadeshi by Mohandas K. Gandhi Address delivered before the Missionary Conference on February 14, 1916 It was not without great diffidence that I undertook to speak to you at all, and I was hard put to it in the selection of my subject.

I have chosen a very delicate and difficult subject, It is delicate because of the peculiar views I hold upon, Swadeshi, and it is difficult because I have not that command of language which is necessary for giving adequate expression to my thoughts.

I know that I may rely upon your indulgence for the many shortcomings you will no doubt find in my address, the more so when I tell you that there is nothing in what I am about to say that I am not already practising or am not preparing to practise to the best of my ability.