Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, as one of the official languages of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Observed annually, Hindi Diwas (Rashtriya Hindi Diwas) emphasizes the cultural, literary, and political significance of Hindi while promoting its use in administration, education, and daily life. It reflects India’s linguistic pride and the efforts to bridge its diverse communities through a shared language.
History of Hindi Diwas
- On 14 September 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi in the Devanagari script as one of the official languages of the Union.
- This decision was included in Article 343 of the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950.
- The first Hindi Diwas was celebrated in 1953, under the guidance of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Since then, it has been observed annually to honour the Hindi language and promote its integration in governance and daily use.
Theme of Hindi Diwas 2025
- Each year, the Government of India announces a theme to highlight the importance of Hindi.
- Expected Theme for 2025: “Hindi: The Strength of National Unity and Global Identity”
- Focus: Expanding Hindi’s presence in technology, diplomacy, and global communication.
- In past years, themes focused on Hindi in digital communication, cultural integration, and national unity.
Significance of Hindi
- Hindi plays a multi-dimensional role in India’s cultural, social, and political life.
- Official Status: Along with English, Hindi is one of the two official languages of the Union Government.
- Global Reach: Hindi is the third most spoken language in the world, with over 615 million speakers across Mauritius, Nepal, Guyana, Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 343(1): Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
- Article 351: Directive for the Union to promote Hindi and enrich it by assimilating words from other Indian languages.
- Cultural Role: Acts as a linguistic bridge among India’s diverse states, binding people through literature, cinema, and media.
- Literary Roots: Evolved from Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha, reflecting the Indo-Aryan heritage.
States Where Hindi is an Official Language
- According to the 2011 Census, 44% of Indians speak Hindi as their mother tongue.
Primary Official Language States
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Jharkhand
- Chhattisgarh
Secondary Official Status
- Delhi
- Chandigarh
- Government Initiatives to Promote Hindi
- The Government of India has undertaken various initiatives to strengthen Hindi’s role:
- Hindi Pakhwada: Held from September 1–15 annually to encourage use of Hindi in government institutions.
Awards
- Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar
- Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar
- Central Hindi Training Institute (CHTI): Offers Hindi language training for government employees and non-Hindi speakers.
- Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Act, 1956: Promotes Hindi literature and organizes cultural activities.
- Digital Hindi Promotion: Unicode integration, Hindi software, and online platforms for wider accessibility.
- Global Promotion: Establishment of the World Hindi Secretariat (WHS) in Mauritius (1999) to advocate Hindi as a UN official language.
Interesting Facts About Hindi
- 3rd most spoken language in the world (after English and Mandarin).
- Spoken by over 615 million people globally.
- First Hindi talkie film: Alam Ara (1931).
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered India’s first UN speech in Hindi in 1977.
- The word “Hindi” comes from the Persian word “Hind”, meaning land of the Indus River.
- Hindi is taught in 176 universities worldwide.
- Hindi literature dates back to ancient times, with contributions from Amir Khusro and other poets.
Importance of Hindi Diwas
- National Unity: Reinforces Hindi’s role as a unifying language across India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
- Cultural Identity: Celebrates the rich heritage of Hindi literature, poetry, and cinema.
- Education & Awareness: Encourages young learners to adopt Hindi in both official and non-official communication.
- Global Recognition: Highlights efforts to promote Hindi on the world stage as a language of diplomacy and identity.