New Delhi: As every year, India is celebrating ‘Hindi Diwas’ today, on the 14th of September. This day is not just a celebration of a language but a symbol of pride in India’s cultural and linguistic identity. Various programs are being organized across the country in government offices, educational institutions, and social organizations, featuring in-depth discussions on the importance of Hindi, its promotion, and the challenges it faces.
This historic day is commemorated in memory of September 14, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly of India unanimously adopted Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, as the official language of the Republic of India. The objective of this momentous decision was to promote a common language that could unite the nation.
High-Level Events and Honours
In the capital, New Delhi, the President, Prime Minister, and Home Minister attended the main ceremony organized by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs. On this occasion, the President stated in his address, “Hindi is not merely a medium of communication but the soul of our culture, literature, and freedom struggle. It has bound the entire nation in a thread of unity.” He also emphasized that along with Hindi, we must respect and preserve all other mother tongues of India.
During the event, various departments, ministries, and individuals who have done outstanding work in the field of the official language were honoured with the ‘Rajbhasha Kirti’ and ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav’ awards.
Why is Hindi Diwas Celebrated?
The primary goal of celebrating Hindi Diwas is to encourage the use of the Hindi language and to make the younger generation aware of their linguistic heritage. Amidst the growing influence of English, this day inspires us to connect with our linguistic roots and appreciate the rich literature of Hindi. Essay writing, debates, poetry recitals, and drama competitions are being held in schools and colleges nationwide to foster interest and respect for Hindi among students.
The Difference Between Hindi Diwas and Mother Language Day
Often, people refer to September 14th as ‘Mother Language Day’, which is not accurate. September 14th is specifically celebrated as ‘Hindi Diwas’ to mark the occasion when Hindi was granted the status of an official language. In contrast, ‘International Mother Language Day’ was declared by UNESCO and is celebrated worldwide on February 21st each year to promote the preservation of all mother tongues and linguistic diversity.
The Growing Relevance of Hindi in the Digital Age
Experts believe that the relevance of Hindi has further increased in the digital and technological era. Today, a vast amount of content is available in Hindi on the internet, and it has become one of the most widely used languages in the world. However, challenges related to the purity and standardization of the language persist, requiring continuous effort.
Overall, the 14th of September provides an opportunity to understand the significance of our official language, Hindi, and to resolve to use it more in our daily lives, while also celebrating the rich linguistic diversity of India.
