Hindi is not just a means of communication, it is a vital part of people’s identity and a symbol of unity. Hindi Diwas not only commemorates the adoption of Hindi in the Constitution but also raises awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting the language in our daily lives. Spoken by millions, Hindi holds a distinctive place in shaping India’s linguistic and cultural landscape.
Hindi Diwas History
India’s linguistic diversity has always been a topic of debate when it comes to be recognized as the official language of India. After an immense debate on 14th of September 1949 constituent assembly of India adopted Hindi written in the Devanagari Script as their official language. This was later preserved in Article 343 of the Indian constitution. This then came into effect on the Indian Republic Day in 1950.
This day was then marked as the National Hindi Day known as Hindi Diwas, and was celebrated every year to honor and promote the use of Hindi. India’s first President Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru initiated this practice of celebrating Hindi Diwas to spread awareness about Hindi language.
Significance of Hindi Diwas
Hindi Diwas is much more than just a celebration. It underlines the importance of Hindi in representing our cultural heritage, our identity and unity. With approximately 600 million people all over the world who speak English as either their first or second language making it the most widely spoken language in India.
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Celebrating Cultural Heritage: This day brings together the great and rich cultural literature, poems and art work done in this language in people’s eyes reminding them about our culture.
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Encouraging Unity in Diversity: Though there are various languages in India, Hindi Diwas reminds us that a language can serve as a bridge between people and brings them close while respecting linguistic diversity.
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Promoting Awareness: This day encourages people especially the younger generations to feel pride in speaking and writing Hindi. On this day several programs and activities are organized by the government, school, colleges etc.
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Honoring the Language Leaders: Hindi Diwas is also a Tribute to the leaders and scholars like Beohar Rajendra Simha who worked for the recognition of Hindi as the official language.
Interesting Facts about Hindi
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Hindi is the 3rd most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese and English, spoken by some 600 million people all over the world.
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The word Hindi comes from the Persian word ‘Hind’, which means “land of the Indus River.”
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National Hindi Day also known as the Hindi Diwas is celebrated every year on 14 September, but there is also a World Hindi Day that is celebrated globally on 10th January.
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On this day, the President of India gives out awards like the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar and Rajbhasha Gaurav Puruskar to ministries, departments, and individuals for their contribution in promoting Hindi.
Hindi Diwas is not merely a celebration of a language; it is an acknowledgment of India’s shared identity and cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the unifying power of Hindi while also promoting respect for the country’s linguistic diversity. As Hindi continues to evolve and gain prominence on global platforms, observing Hindi Diwas becomes increasingly significant in preserving its legacy and inspiring future generations to carry it forward with pride.
