Thyrocare founder A Velumani recently shared his unique approach to learning Hindi, using an analogy of lifting a buffalo. Speaking at an event, he dismissed the idea of an “atmosphere difference” for Tamil speakers in North India, stating that language barriers can be overcome with daily practice. He illustrated his point by asking if someone could lift a newborn buffalo, gradually increasing the timeline until the buffalo is fully grown. His message was simple: consistent effort leads to mastery.
Velumani recounted his own journey of learning Hindi after moving to Mumbai. He started with basic school textbooks and progressed steadily, mastering fifth-standard Hindi within a year. Now, he confidently delivers speeches in the language.
A Wider Debate on Language Policy
His remarks come amid ongoing debates on the Centre’s three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), which Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed, calling it an imposition of Hindi.
Zoho’s Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu pointed out that states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala do not politicize language issues. Andhra’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, also emphasized that India’s linguistic diversity prevents forced imposition, while Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu encouraged students to learn multiple languages, calling Hindi a national language.
Velumani’s story serves as a reminder that learning any language is about dedication and persistence, rather than external barriers
