New Delhi: Union minister Uma Bharti on Wednesday made a pitch for the use of Hindi in administrative works, saying it is "shameful" that the people of the country are yet to free themselves from the "slavery" of English language even after 68 years of Independence.


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"It is very sad and shameful that we have not freed ourselves from the slavery of English 68 years after British left India. A society which is not proud of its language is spineless," she said at a meeting of the Hindi Salahkar Committee.


"It is a mental illness not being able to get rid of the trap of English. It needs to be treated," a statement later quoted her as saying.


Bharti asked officials to use Hindi while writing remarks in their files, preparing the agenda of important meetings, conventions and other programmes of the Ministry.


The Union Water Resource Minister said they should use English and Urdu only "when required".


She rued that the committee was meeting after a long gap of three years and said it should get together at least once in three months.


"We also will need to ensure that the decisions taken during these meetings are implemented within a stipulated time frame," she added.


Minister of State for Water Resources, Sanjeev Balyan, who accompanied Bharti at the meeting, seconded her and said "everyone should take pride in the use of Hindi".


The Samiti was set up to render advice regarding implementation of provisions relating to official language contained in the Constitution, OL Act and Rules, and policy decisions of Kendriya Hindi Samiti and instructions issued by Department of Official Language about progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry.