Your Mother Tongue Will Give You a Sense of Belonging: Ruskin Bond

Beloved author Ruskin Bond has a special message for youngsters – particularly those who aspire to be writers:

“Write in the language that you are easy with. That language is usually the one you grow up with.”

He assures us that while it’s good to know and learn as many languages as one can, the one that will “always give you a sense of belonging” is one’s mother tongue. “It is the one your parents and grandparents speak,” reminisces the ‘boy from the hills’.

This Independence Day, remember to love your bhasha.

(Would you like to contribute to our Independence Day campaign to celebrate the mother tongue? Here’s your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)

Click here to visit the Bol microsite.