World Hindi Day, also known as Vishwa Hindi Diwas, is a global celebration held annually on January 10. The primary aim is to promote the widespread use and appreciation of the Hindi language worldwide. The inception of this day dates back to 2006 when it was first marked to commemorate the anniversary of the initial World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur, India, on January 10, 1975. The Hindi Conference highlighted the significance of Hindi as a medium of communication and aimed to propagate the language globally.
Difference between World Hindi Day and Hindi Divas
A common misconception that often arises is the confusion between World Hindi Day and Hindi Divas. It’s crucial to note that both celebrations serve different purposes. While World Hindi Day, celebrated every year on January 10, aims at promoting the Hindi language at a global level, Hindi Divas, observed on September 14 annually, acknowledges the adoption of Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India.
The Origin and Evolution of Hindi Language
The term “Hindi” originated from the Persian word “Hind”, signifying ‘land of the Indus River’. Turk invaders in the early 11th century named the region’s language Hindi, which translates to ‘language of the land of the Indus River’.
Over time, the Hindi language has gone through different developmental stages, each marked by a change in its nomenclature and structure. The earliest form of Hindi, known as Apabhramsa, was in use around 400 AD. Most notable from this period was the romantic play “Vikramorvashiyam,” penned by the legendary poet Kalidas.
The transition from Apabhramsa led eventually to the creation of modern Hindi as we know it today. This change was marked by the advent of the modern Devanagari script in the 11th century.
| Stages of Hindi Evolution | Period |
|---|---|
| Apabhramsa | 400 AD |
| Transitional Phase | 11th Century |
| Modern Hindi (Devanagari script) | 11th Century onwards |
Hindi as an International Language
Besides being one of the two official languages of India, English being the other, Hindi finds its speakers in several countries outside India. It forms a critical part of the cultural fabric of countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nepal. The Indian embassies located across different parts of the world also celebrate World Hindi Day to foster a spirit of linguistic unity and cultural bond among various nations.