The whole point is that we can’t do much about it. That’s what one of my indian friend saÿs. Ïllitreacy rate is about 50% in India. Most of those illiterate people speak their regional language while growing up, which is not always Hindi. So, you cannot always expect every Indian to speak and understand Hindi."
But the person who started this thread…seems to be literate 
. Then why can’t he speak hindi???
What has literacy got to do with a person's abiliti/Inability to speak Hindi or any other Language.
Hindi/Non-Hindi is a political Issue in India and quite oftedn it has been used by politicians for personal gains. As fars I am concerned Language is for communication and we should not make it an Ego issue. If I have to Live in Tamilnadu or Kerala , I will definately learn Tamil/Malyalam.
Vivek - Whoever posted that mesg is a flamer and a hatemonger. I am a North Indian and have been to lot places in Northern India and I have hardly found people considering themselves superior to South Indians.
We always make fun of each other a lot and problem is when someone goes too far. I don't think Hindi vs non-Hindi is even a top 10 issue these days! Many South Indians actually go and learn Hindi to get a job in Mumbai (even though someone from Delhi or Lucknow will be shocked if we call it Hindi, what's spoken in Mumbai)...And it is an absolute pleasure to hear a Tamil or Malayalee speak Hindi! What a delight!
The delight is only matched by hearing the chaste(!) English of a Bengali or the 'garam masalaised' Hindi of the Punjabi!
The Maharashtrian adding 5h's to each English word can only be called cute!
Guys and gals from Pakistan and elsewhere - you gotta experience this diversity - then you will understand the sheer pleasure of India