Srikanth,
Thanks for the correction.
Take away point: Huge majority of the Indians are not illiterate in their mother languages. This statistical information should not be overlooked based on personal experiences.
Ravi
Err.. Ravi, correction.In ISCE and ISC systems, people study a second language for only 8 years minimum, unless the school chooses to have it in 1st and 2nd.I personally opted to study Hindi as a second one [NOT in TN] for 10yrs in ISCE.In ISC, only English is compulsory, same for CBSE in the +1 and +2 stages.ONLY State Boards, across the country make it mandatory for a second language for all 12yrs.Regards,