Page:Mahatma Gandhi, his life, writings and speeches.djvu/302

M. K. Gandhi over the English language but it is also our duty to make facilities for imparting such education.

Before closing this topic he referred to the two pamphlets published by Dr. P. J, Mehta and recommended the audience to peruse them. He then suggested a number of ways and means for preparing a ground for making Gujarati as the medium of instruction such as the use of Gujarati language only in mutual intercourse among the Gujaratis, preparation of Gujarati text-books, opening schools etc. NATIONAL LANGUAGE After dealing with the medium of instruction he dwelt at length upon the subject of National language. He gave an able reply to those who suggest that English ought to become the lingua franca of India. He said a National language should satisfy the following five conditions:— (1) It must be easy for the official. (2) It must be the vehicle of religious, social and political intercourse of the people. (3) It must be spoken by a large number. (4) It must be easy of acquisition by the masses. 182