A STANDARD CHARACTEE FOR INDIAN LANGUAGES (Speech deltvered at Benares, at the Nagari Pracharini Sabha Conference, under the Presidency of Mr. R. C.Dutt in December,1905]. Gentlemen — The scope and object of the Nagari Prachami Sabha has already been explained to you by the president. I should have gladly dilated on the same. But as ten speakers are to follow me- within an hour and a half, I must forego the pleasure and restrict myself, during the few minutes at my disposal to a brief mention of the points which I think ought to be kept in view in endeavouring to work on the lines adopted by the Sabha. The first and the most important thing we have to remember is that this movement is not merely for establishing a common character for the Northern India. It is a part and parcel of a larger movement, I may say a National Movement to have a common language for the whole of India; for a common language is an important element of nationality. It la by a common language that you express your thoughts to others; and Manu rightly says that 27
