US goes for Hindi to be ?secure?

The United States has identified Hindi as one of the 'critical need' foreign languages that Americans should learn to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century.

The United States has identified Hindi as one of the 'critical need' foreign languages that Americans should learn to further strengthen national security and prosperity in the 21st century.

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While launching the National Security Language Initiative programme (NSLI), US President George W Bush is expected to request for a fund of $114 million for the year 2007.

"The NSLI will dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages such as Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Persian and others through new and expanded programmes from kindergarten through university and into the workforce," the US State Department said in a factsheet.

The US administration noted that an important component of national security in the post 9/11 period is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions, to encourage reform, promote understanding and convey respect for other cultures.

"To do this, we must be able to communicate in other languages, a challenge for which we are unprepared," it said. Under the direction of the President, a comprehensive plan has been drawn for an expansion in foreign language education.