Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm greetings to the nation on Hindi Diwas, a day observed to celebrate Hindi’s status as one of India’s official languages. The occasion, marked annually on September 14, highlights the importance of Hindi in uniting the country linguistically.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Modi wished the nation and emphasised the significance of Hindi in national communication. His message resonated with millions, further underscoring the cultural pride associated with the language.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also joined in the celebrations, offering his heartfelt wishes to the people. Shah, in his message, acknowledged the integral role of Hindi in the linguistic fabric of India, emphasising that all Indian languages are part of the country’s heritage.
He remarked that while Hindi plays a central role as the official language, it shares a symbiotic relationship with other regional languages. According to him, enriching every language, including Hindi, is vital to the country’s collective progress.
Shah’s message resonated deeply as he recognized Hindi’s 75-year journey as an official language, contributing to national unity and public communication.
In a video message, Shah highlighted the importance of this year’s Hindi Diwas, marking the 75th anniversary of Hindi’s acceptance as the official language by the Constituent Assembly of India on September 14, 1946.
He reflected on Hindi's evolution over the decades, stating that the language had witnessed many challenges but had emerged stronger. He also addressed misconceptions about competition between Hindi and regional languages, noting that Hindi complements them rather than competes with them. Hindi, he added, draws strength from languages like Gujarati, Marathi, and Telugu, and in turn, strengthens them.
Amit Shah also pointed out the strides made in promoting Hindi under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He credited Modi for raising the profile of Hindi on international platforms, including delivering speeches in Hindi at global events. This, he said, had not only enhanced the importance of Hindi worldwide but also sparked renewed interest in regional languages within India.
Looking to the future, Shah shared an exciting development in the form of a new translation portal being developed by the Department of Official Language. The portal, powered by Artificial Intelligence, aims to facilitate translations from Hindi into all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
This tool will make it easier to translate official documents, speeches, and letters quickly and accurately. The initiative is part of a larger effort to ensure that language is not a barrier to communication across the diverse linguistic landscape of India.
In line with these developments, the Union Home Minister also inaugurated the ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag’ on Hindi Diwas. The initiative, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Department of Official Language, aims to promote the use of Indian languages alongside Hindi.
It also seeks to establish better coordination among these languages, reflecting a commitment to linguistic inclusivity. The inauguration took place during the inaugural session of the official language Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the 4th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan, held in the national capital.
The two-day event, which celebrates Hindi’s 75-year journey as an official language, brought together officials, language scholars, and dignitaries to discuss the progress and challenges Hindi has faced over the years.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs has organised the Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan every year, inspired by Prime Minister Modi’s vision and under the guidance of Amit Shah.
These events have played a significant role in promoting the use of Hindi in official communication and strengthening its position as a language of governance. This year’s Sammelan holds special importance, as it coincides with the Diamond Jubilee of Hindi as the nation’s official language.
Hindi Diwas, apart from celebrating the language, is also a reminder of the linguistic diversity of India. The celebration emphasises the importance of taking all Indian languages forward together, with Hindi playing a pivotal role.
As Shah mentioned, the journey of Hindi as an official language has crossed numerous milestones and continues to evolve, particularly in the realm of technology. The integration of technology into language use, as seen with the upcoming translation portal, represents a future where language barriers can be overcome more easily.