
When It Occurs
Every September 14th
Timeline
Days Passed (517)
# Hashtags
#HindiDiwas #PromotionOfHindi
Hindi Diwas is annually observed on the 14th of September, marking the inception of the celebration in 1949. This recognition followed the acceptance of Hindi as India's official language by the Constituent Assembly on September 14, 1949, acknowledging its prevalence in most regions of the country. The decision to celebrate Hindi Day was made by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the inaugural Hindi Day was officially observed on September 14, 1953.
Hindi, being the third most spoken language globally, holds significance as the identity of India. The celebration of Hindi Day aims to promote the language within the country and curb any neglect towards Hindi.
Significance of Hindi Diwas
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Historical Background: Hindi was adopted as the official language of India on September 14, 1949, by the Constituent Assembly of India. This decision was in accordance with Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, which states that Hindi, in the Devanagari script, shall be the official language of the Union. This day was chosen because it also marks the birth anniversary of Rajendra Simha, a notable Hindi scholar and supporter of Hindi as a national language.
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Official Status: While Hindi is one of the two official languages of India (the other being English), it is also the most spoken language in the country, with more than 40% of the population identifying it as their mother tongue. Hindi is written in the Devanagari script and has its roots in Sanskrit.
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Promotion of Hindi: Hindi Diwas serves as an opportunity to promote Hindi's usage in government institutions, schools, and other public forums. The government also uses this day to encourage the development of literature, art, and communication in Hindi.
Celebrations and Events
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Government Observance: On Hindi Diwas, various ministries, government offices, and institutions organize events to celebrate the language. The President of India presents the Rajbhasha Awards to individuals and organizations for their contributions to the promotion of Hindi.
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School and College Activities: Educational institutions across India celebrate Hindi Diwas with a variety of activities such as essay writing competitions, debates, poetry recitations, and speech contests in Hindi. Students are encouraged to engage with the language and learn about its significance in India's cultural and social fabric.
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Cultural Programs: Cultural events such as Hindi plays, musical performances, and folk dances that celebrate the Hindi language and its literary heritage are held. Renowned Hindi poets and authors may be invited to give talks, recite poetry, or read from their works.
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Hindi Literature: Hindi Diwas is also a day to celebrate the rich heritage of Hindi literature, from the classical works of poets like Tulsidas and Kabir to modern literary figures like Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Munshi Premchand. Book fairs and discussions on Hindi literature are common during the celebrations.
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Promotion of Hindi in Digital Spaces: In modern times, there is a push to promote Hindi in the digital space, with more websites, apps, and platforms providing content in Hindi. Hindi Diwas encourages the use of Hindi in social media, online communications, and even coding.
Controversies and Language Politics
While Hindi is the most spoken language in India, it is not universally accepted across all states, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country, where languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and others dominate. The imposition of Hindi as a national language has historically been met with resistance, especially in Tamil Nadu, where anti-Hindi agitations have occurred.
To address this, the Constitution of India recognizes 22 scheduled languages, and English continues to serve as a link language for communication across different linguistic regions.
Importance of Hindi in Modern India
Despite the controversies, Hindi remains an essential part of India's cultural identity and heritage. It is used in government, media, education, and entertainment. Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry, has played a crucial role in spreading the language across India and internationally.
Key Highlights
- Date: September 14
- First Observed: 1949 (as the day Hindi was adopted as the official language)
- Objective: To promote Hindi and encourage its use in government, education, and everyday communication.
Rajbhasha Awards
On Hindi Diwas, the Rajbhasha Awards are given by the government of India to recognize ministries, departments, and individuals that have made significant contributions to promoting Hindi in government operations and publications. These awards encourage the use of Hindi in official work.
Hindi in Global Context
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Diaspora Influence: Hindi is widely spoken in countries with significant Indian diaspora communities, such as Mauritius, Fiji, Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.
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UN and Global Language Status: Hindi is also gaining prominence as a global language. There have been ongoing efforts to make Hindi one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Challenges and Future
Though Hindi is widely spoken, its role in certain sectors such as higher education, science, and international diplomacy is limited. The celebration of Hindi Diwas is a reminder to address these challenges by increasing the language’s reach and resources in diverse fields.
In conclusion, Hindi Diwas is a day to celebrate the linguistic and cultural unity of India through Hindi, while also recognizing the importance of linguistic diversity across the nation.