On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah extended his heartfelt wishes to the citizens of India. Hindi Diwas, celebrated on the 14th of September every year, commemorates the significance of the Hindi language and its contribution to the cultural tapestry of the nation. In his message, Minister Shah underscored the pivotal role that Hindi plays in fostering unity and goodwill among the diverse linguistic communities of India.
A Unifying Force:
Minister Shah acknowledged that India is a country blessed with a multitude of languages, reflecting its rich cultural diversity. Hindi, however, stands out as a unifying language, acting as a bridge that connects the various linguistic regions within the world’s largest democracy. He emphasized that Hindi is a democratic language that has embraced and honored different Indian languages and dialects, as well as incorporating elements from many global languages, including vocabulary, sentence structures, and grammar rules.
Historical Significance:
Shri Amit Shah highlighted the extraordinary role played by the Hindi language during India’s struggle for independence. In a nation fragmented by numerous languages and dialects, Hindi emerged as a unifying force, instilling a sense of oneness among the people. Hindi served as a communication tool that facilitated the spread of the freedom movement from the eastern to western and northern to southern regions of India.
The Minister noted that during this period, simultaneous movements for ‘Swaraj’ (self-rule) and ‘Swabhasha’ (own language) were taking place. Given Hindi’s vital role in these movements, it was formally adopted as the official language of India on the 14th of September, 1949, by the architects of the Constitution.
Language and Cultural Heritage:
Minister Shah emphasized the crucial role of language in a nation’s expression and identity. He quoted the renowned litterateur Bharatendu Harishchandra’s famous poem, “निज भाषा उन्नति अहै, सब उन्नति को मूल” (The progress of our language is the basis of all-round progress). He stressed that all Indian languages and dialects are part of the nation’s cultural heritage, which should be cherished and preserved. Hindi, he emphasized, does not compete with other Indian languages but contributes to their strength, ultimately leading to a stronger and more united nation.
Towards Empowering Local Languages:
Minister Amit Shah expressed his belief that Hindi can serve as a medium to empower all local languages. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian languages have gained recognition and respect at national and global levels. The Department of Official Language, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is continuously working to enrich Indian languages, making them integral to public administration, education, and scientific discourse. Public welfare schemes are being effectively implemented in Indian languages, fostering better communication between the government and the public.
Progress and Initiatives:
The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language has been instrumental in monitoring the use of Hindi in government work across the country. A significant achievement is the presentation of the 12th volume of the report to the President. In addition, Hindi Advisory Committees have been formed in all 59 ministries, actively promoting the use of the official language in various regions of the country. Furthermore, efforts have been made to promote Hindi on the global stage, with Town Official Language Implementation Committees established in various foreign countries.
