#NewIndianVocabulary
A for Acche Din. A short note on New India and its new vocabulary
‘New Indian Vocabulary’ began life as a twitter hashtag a couple of years back while I was reading a book called I Bear Witness by Victor Klemperer. Klemperer was an interesting German who was born in a Jewish family and changed his religion to Protestantism and lived in Nazi Germany, survived it and then lived in East Germany. He was a communist. He kept a detailed diary of his life in Nazi Germany between (1933–41). It contained a lot of words coined by the Nazis and it gives us an idea of how it was used and its effect on his life and the people around him.
How we use words hasn’t changed much it in a century. How government and politicians use words too is still the same. How they are amplified or heard or spreads is what has changed and when you read the diary, you realise that it hasn’t changed much. Some of the signs can even be frightening.
Words Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Every decade has its own set of words created and re-purposed to define ideas and action. In India, it is a good time to keep track of the language created and used by the people especially the ones in positions of power now. Thanks to the internet, we also have thousands of people coining words and hashtags every day. And it’s peak being — Covfefe!
The New India
The period before 2014 was no different from what it is today in the use of words but the words seemed to have a lesser impact. Social media wasn’t widespread enough to make a faster or deeper impact even if lynchings did happen then too and the government wasn’t spending as much as it does now to spread its ideas. Yes, we had people coining words too and using them too. The difference is that people who are coining the words have changed. They brought in a new purpose and the words were used for a new kind of India and are a reflection of how much India has changed (or stays the same).
New Indian Vocabulary. Why do we have to talk about this today?
It is good days or Acche Din for new words because each day brings something new and today, the 4th of September is just another day for these words/hashtag. Like any other day, a word or a few of them are trending and being used by the people and will be forgotten tomorrow. Some will live on and acquire a life of their own. One of today’s words is a version of ‘Fascist’ and was triggered by a student in TN who was arrested for calling the party in power at the Centre as Fascist. It’s sad to know that there seems to be a battle of words going on between the right and the left in the country just like in the Nazi times where it was the left that debated or fought with the extreme right.
The back story to this fascist usage is a public prosecutor in Pune indirectly referred to the Central Government as fascists when they arrested a group of left-leaning intellectuals. And is the Government of India really fascist? The answer will differ based on your experiences and reading of the incidents around you.
A short list of new words in the Indian Vocabulary
New India (2014 onwards)
A popular hashtag of the supporters of BJP and why not. We do have a new India but how new the New India feels is up to our own experiences. It was on this promise that the election was won and Pakistan’s Imran Khan copied the same to create a campaign called Naya Pakistan and succeeded too. Now that we have a New India, let’s look at words from the New India.
A popular hashtag of the supporters of BJP and why not. We do have a new India but how new the New India feels is up to our own experiences. It was on this promise that the election was won and Pakistan’s Imran Khan copied the same to create a campaign called Naya Pakistan and succeeded too. Now that we have a New India, let’s look at words from the New India.
Vishwaguru Bharat (Old one but used often since 2014)
This gives an idea of where the leaders of India see themselves in the world order. As the new face of an ancient civilisation, they consider themselves the guru or teacher of the world. Are we a beacon?
This gives an idea of where the leaders of India see themselves in the world order. As the new face of an ancient civilisation, they consider themselves the guru or teacher of the world. Are we a beacon?
Modinomics (used before 2014 and the name for the time we live in)
Modinomics was based on reports of how the state of Gujrat has performed under Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister. It is not clearly defined and now that much water has collected and passed under the bridges
Naamdaar and Kaamdaar (2018)
New Indian vocabulary is enriched best by the Prime Minister who is the undisputed master of coining, using and amplifying words. A good example would be this coinage to differentiate between leaders with lineage versus himself.
https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/994091547019825152
New Indian vocabulary is enriched best by the Prime Minister who is the undisputed master of coining, using and amplifying words. A good example would be this coinage to differentiate between leaders with lineage versus himself.
https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/994091547019825152
Green Masala Bonds (April 2016)
Innovative branding names that seem Indian and could become something popular.
https://twitter.com/energyinfrapos1/status/722798069339652096
Innovative branding names that seem Indian and could become something popular.
https://twitter.com/energyinfrapos1/status/722798069339652096
Mann ki Baat (post 2014)
The radio show broadcast nationwide where the Prime Minister speaks his mind and ideas to the whole country. Because the Prime Minister does not give unscripted interviews to the media it is where one can gauge his intentions.
This list is endless and is expanding. You can add Swacch Bharat, Demonetisation, the tens of Yojanas and Abhyaans. The interesting change is the use of more increasingly complex Sanskritised words to express the sentiment and advantages of the government programmes.
Namami Ganga (Post 2014)
Ganga action plans have been cleaning the river for decades now. This is the latest version but the name is poetic.
Ganga action plans have been cleaning the river for decades now. This is the latest version but the name is poetic.
Deen Dayal and Atal (From 2000 onwards)
For decades we were used to names of the Gandhis and Nehru prefixed to programmes. Post-2014, we have a new list of names to reflect the ideology of the new regime which incidentally is not different from what it replaced.
Divyang and Kalyani (Post 2014 and March 2017)
Divyang is the name the PM suggested that we use instead of physically handicapped and inspired by him, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh wants widows to be called Kalyani.
https://twitter.com/thetribunechd/status/839771182236753921
Divyang is the name the PM suggested that we use instead of physically handicapped and inspired by him, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh wants widows to be called Kalyani.
https://twitter.com/thetribunechd/status/839771182236753921
Capitalist Leftist (March 2017)
Prabhu Chawla describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
https://twitter.com/PrabhuChawla/status/840055563178278912
Prabhu Chawla describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
https://twitter.com/PrabhuChawla/status/840055563178278912
Zindabad and Murdabad are old. These are the words foot soldiers now use:
Azadi (Feb 2016)
And Anti-nationals. At Delhi’s JNU, Azadi or freedom which was used a slogan was soon made into a word anti-nationals use.
https://twitter.com/ranjithoskote/status/700542798215286785
And Anti-nationals. At Delhi’s JNU, Azadi or freedom which was used a slogan was soon made into a word anti-nationals use.
https://twitter.com/ranjithoskote/status/700542798215286785
Urban Naxals, Half Maoists or JNU type
https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1005126978175885314
https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1005126978175885314
Love Jihad, Anti Romeo Squad ( Feb 2017)
Political parties need interesting topics to shepherd their members. This was coined to mobilise youngsters in UP ahead of the elections there. After people started making fun of the squad, it was renamed as Nari Surkasha Bal.
https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/827415642257055744
Political parties need interesting topics to shepherd their members. This was coined to mobilise youngsters in UP ahead of the elections there. After people started making fun of the squad, it was renamed as Nari Surkasha Bal.
https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/827415642257055744
Radhe Radhe (2018)
In Gurugram, the city that was once called Gurgaon, they have repurposed the chant ‘Radhe Radhe’ into a slogan to attack minorities.
In Gurugram, the city that was once called Gurgaon, they have repurposed the chant ‘Radhe Radhe’ into a slogan to attack minorities.
Presstitute (the 2010s)
The words BJP politicians and supporters use for journalists because of the slant against them in the news coverage they received when they were not in power.
The words BJP politicians and supporters use for journalists because of the slant against them in the news coverage they received when they were not in power.
Go to Pakistan (Post 2014)
A favourite line of the right wing followers to people who appear to be secular or sickular as they call it because it could be a disease. The only problem is that the government does not issue visas if they follow that diktat.
Sickular (see above)
Gaurakshaks, Beef, Beef Festival, Beef Ban, Buff, etc. (Old words with new bite)
Words related to cow protection but are actually ways to inflict restrictions and violence of people who belong to castes that are not vegetarian or Muslims or Christian.
Internet Shutdown
A common occurrence that started in J&K and now very common in BJP ruled states as opposed to the other states.
A common occurrence that started in J&K and now very common in BJP ruled states as opposed to the other states.
Culture and gatekeepers names:
Pre Censor Board (Feb 2017)
The film industry makes most of its money on the first weekend of the movie’s release. It is a bottleneck that can be used by political and social groups to blackmail a filmmaker and hence this strange request for a pre-censor.
The film industry makes most of its money on the first weekend of the movie’s release. It is a bottleneck that can be used by political and social groups to blackmail a filmmaker and hence this strange request for a pre-censor.
Hinduphobic (Sept 2018)
TM Krishna has been trying to bring in diversity to Carnatic music and it has made a section of the Carnatic music fans angry. When they mean Hindu, they probably mean Brahminical in this case.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/janmashtami-blues-carnatic-purists-and-fundamentalists-force-krishna-to-shift-concert-from-temple-in-us/articleshow/65661401.cms
TM Krishna has been trying to bring in diversity to Carnatic music and it has made a section of the Carnatic music fans angry. When they mean Hindu, they probably mean Brahminical in this case.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/janmashtami-blues-carnatic-purists-and-fundamentalists-force-krishna-to-shift-concert-from-temple-in-us/articleshow/65661401.cms
Constructive Suggestion/Criticism (Post 2014)
When anyone speaks about a policy decision or its effect, the government doesn’t expect you to rant but to offer constructive criticism.
When anyone speaks about a policy decision or its effect, the government doesn’t expect you to rant but to offer constructive criticism.
The new vocabulary of caste.
Calling people names to show them their place or to approve of their social hierarchy is an old Indian habit. As Dalits seek education, space and equal rights that are guaranteed by the state, there is opposition from the people with privilege. One way for them to push back the slow change is using words that can be used as a slow and blunt weapon. A few examples:
Baraat Notice (May 2018)
Dalit (Sept 2018)
What seems to be a misreading of what SC said, I&B directs media to use the words Scheduled Caste instead of Dalit.
What seems to be a misreading of what SC said, I&B directs media to use the words Scheduled Caste instead of Dalit.
BHIM
The payment method that was launched on Dr Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and named after him.
The payment method that was launched on Dr Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and named after him.
Patalgadi (2017)
A tribal self-rule movement in Central India.
Pormboke (2017)
“ Poromboke is an old Tamil word meaning shared-use community resources like waterbodies, seashore and grazing lands that are not assessed for tax purposes. Today, it has become a bad word used to describe worthless people or places. Chennai Poromboke Paadal (song) is part of a campaign to reclaim the word and restore its worth.”
“ Poromboke is an old Tamil word meaning shared-use community resources like waterbodies, seashore and grazing lands that are not assessed for tax purposes. Today, it has become a bad word used to describe worthless people or places. Chennai Poromboke Paadal (song) is part of a campaign to reclaim the word and restore its worth.”
Watch the song here:
Jai Kisan to new words
Cosmic Farming (2018)
In Goa, a Minister proposed a radical new way to develop agriculture using unseen energy.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chant-vedic-mantra-to-get-a-better-crop-goa-govt-scheme-for-farmers-5244821/
In Goa, a Minister proposed a radical new way to develop agriculture using unseen energy.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chant-vedic-mantra-to-get-a-better-crop-goa-govt-scheme-for-farmers-5244821/
Zero Budget Natural Farming, Natural Farming State, Agroecological principles (2018)
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/andhra-pradesh-become-indias-first-zero-budget-natural-farming-state
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/andhra-pradesh-become-indias-first-zero-budget-natural-farming-state
Bali Raja
Though I have restricted myself to English and Hindi words, the regional languages and dialects have their own ocean of new words. Here is an example called Baliraja for farmers who are resorting to suicide in Maharashtra.
Though I have restricted myself to English and Hindi words, the regional languages and dialects have their own ocean of new words. Here is an example called Baliraja for farmers who are resorting to suicide in Maharashtra.
IT loves new words and acronyms and requires a separate story but here are a couple of not so common ones to define the age we live in:
Shitistics (Unknown)
The numbers you mention in a meeting but you have no idea what they mean.
https://twitter.com/rohitkbansal/status/708102197033050112
The numbers you mention in a meeting but you have no idea what they mean.
https://twitter.com/rohitkbansal/status/708102197033050112
Ameerpet Phenomenon (Unknown)
Classes for the latest IT wave that helps you get a job in the sector named after the locality with coaching classes in Hyderabad.
Classes for the latest IT wave that helps you get a job in the sector named after the locality with coaching classes in Hyderabad.
Institution Disruptors, Intimidating Advocacy and False Causes
‘Over the last few years, one has witnessed the evolution of some public interest crusaders graduating into “Institution Disruptors”. They pick-up even false causes and pursue the falsehood with a sense of deep commitment, indulge in intimidating advocacy & justice dispensation.’
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/987287435955654657
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/987287435955654657
The nation lives on a diet of Alphabet Soup and we will get more.
Government programmes are usually a jumble of words. UIDAI or Aadhaar, JNNRUM -2 which is now called AMRUT, Etc. Modicare is Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). Whoever comes and goes, the rulers of India definitely love acronyms. We remember the ones we use, the rest are alive and kicking in their own departments. Give us the strength to use them. At a delegation level talks in China, PM Modi attempted the acronym of an eight-lettered word, ‘Strength’ that he spelt as STREANH. Words are definitely his strength and maybe it was not his day, that day.
This is a short list of words that come and go on our timeline every
day. I will be adding more as and when they come and when they are
weaponised. If you are on Twitter, check out or add to the hashtag
#NewIndianVocabulary.
