Here's why:
* Gender neutrality: Hindi, like many languages, doesn't strictly assign genders to professions. While some words might have a default gender, it's generally considered polite and inclusive to use gender-neutral language.
* Focus on the individual: Instead of focusing on gender, Hindi emphasizes the individual's qualifications and expertise.
Alternatives:
* विद्वान (vidvaan): This is a common word for a learned person and is generally considered gender-neutral.
* पंडित (pandit): Another common word for a learned person, also generally considered gender-neutral.
* विद्वता (vidvata): This word refers to scholarship or learnedness and doesn't have a gender.
To address a scholar, you would use their name or title:
* श्रीमान/श्रीमती [नाम] (Shriman/Shrimati [name]): This is a common way to address someone formally, using the appropriate honorific for their gender.
* प्रोफेसर [नाम] (Professor [name]): If the scholar is a professor.
Ultimately, it's best to use language that is respectful and avoids unnecessary gender distinctions.