The 10th of January marks the annual celebration of Vishwa Hindi Diwas (VHD) or World Hindi Day, a global event promoting the Hindi language. The event distinguishes from Indian-based Hindi Diwas, which primarily focuses on recognizing the Hindi language within India and is celebrated annually on 14th September.
The Origin and Purpose of Vishwa Hindi Diwas
Starting from 2006, the global Hindi day commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur on 10th January 1975. It also represents a significant milestone in history; it was on this day in 1949 that Hindi was first spoken in the United Nations’ General Assembly. As well as being celebrated worldwide, Indian embassies stationed overseas also observe this day. Further cementing Hindi’s global stance is the World Hindi Secretariat building, which was inaugurated in Mauritius’ Port Louis in 2018.
Vishwa Hindi Diwas plays a crucial role in advocating the Hindi language on a global scale. It serves to create an awareness of the Indian language, its utilization, and discuss challenges concerning its usage and promotion.
National Hindi Day
National Hindi Day, celebrated annually on 14th September in India, honors the adoption of Hindi as the official language by the Constituent Assembly of India in 1949. Important contributions from Kaka Kalelkar, Maithili Sharan Gupta, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, and Seth Govindadas were instrumental in Hindi gaining official status. Hindi also features in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution. Article 351 revolves around directives for the Hindi language development.
Government Endeavors to Foster Hindi
Efforts to nurture the Hindi language have also been evident on a governmental level. In 1960, the Government of India established the Central Hindi Directorate under the Ministry of Education. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) promoted Hindi through ‘Hindi Chairs’ in various foreign universities and institutions.
Digital initiatives are also prominent, with LILA-Rajbhasha, a multimedia-based intelligent self-tutoring application facilitating Hindi learning. The Department of Official Language has developed E-Saral Hindi Vakya Kosh and E-Mahashabdkosh Mobile App to harness information technology for Hindi’s growth. Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar and Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar recognize outstanding contributions to Hindi.
About the Hindi Language
The term “Hindi” originates from the Persian word Hind, denoting ‘land of the Indus River’. It was used by Turk invaders in the early 11th century to describe the language of the region. Alongside English, Hindi is the official language of India and is spoken in countries like Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Nepal.
Hindi has evolved through various stages, initially known as Apabhramsa in its early form. Notably, the romantic play Vikramorvashiyam, penned by Kalidas in 400 AD, was written in Apabhramsa. The modern Devanagari script that we recognize today originated in the 11th century.