"Temple for 'Goddess English' focuses on Dalits"

NDTV reports here,

A temple dedicated to 'Goddess English' is coming up in a nondescript village in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district with an aim of encouraging the local Dalits to learn the language.

The temple, a single storey structure covered with black granite, would have an over-three-feet-tall idol of 'Dalit Goddess English' installed on a pedestal in the shape of a computer holding a pen, a copy of the Indian Constitution and donning a gown and a hat. The idol has been inspired by the Statue of Liberty and the computer screen would have a dharma chakra (a Buddhist symbol).

"When it was being debated as to what should be the national language of India after independence, Dr Ambedkar was the only national leader who vociferously batted for English while all the others were against it. And today we see the imbalances caused in the society because of English as those who do not know it are left behind," he said.

 Prasad said that the temple is being built to popularise English among Dalits, who form a sizeable number in not just the village but also in the area, so that they can move ahead in their lives. "This temple would help encourage them to learn the language which has become essential for one's growth as in 20 years' time, no decent job would be available without its knowledge," Prasad said.

"In future, the temple would become the focus of Dalits with most of their rituals like the ones relating to births and weddings revolving around it," he said.

It gets better,

"To give a touch of modernity, the engravings of symbols and formulae of physics, chemistry, mathematics and English sayings would adorn the walls. Efforts are also being made to build the staircase of the temple in the form of a computer keyboard," he said.

Well, the former Chief Minister of the state, Mulayam Singh Yadav, used to talk of banning English (and computers)  in schools and the current Chief Minister of course likes to build statues of herself (not those of Goddess English) and garland herself with money. And while this temple might just "popularise" English, I hope the state (and the temple trust) realize that the temple and the statue and the computer-keyboard-staircase will not actually "teach" those who are inspired to learn. For that one requires- schools, teachers, books, infrastructure, supplies etc.