In an annual celebration held every January 10, World Hindi Day honors the far-reaching contributions of Hindi speakers and the extensive global importance of this language. With a history that dates back to its first spoken utterance at the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, Hindi has since garnered a growing recognition worldwide. The initiation of World Hindi Diwas came into effect in 2006 under Dr. Manmohan Singh’s guidance, establishing January 10 as the day for observing the event universally.
Legal Acknowledgment of Hindi as an Official Language
Pointed out in Article 343 of the Indian Constitution is the status of Hindi written in Devanagari script as the union’s official language. The prestigious positions of official languages of India are upheld by two languages, Hindi and English. Furthermore, Hindi enjoys its listing as one of the 22 languages enshrined in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Hindi’s Linguistic Roots
Hindi traces its roots back to the Indo-Aryan branch, which is a component of the expansive Indo-European language group. This lineage showcases the vast reach of Hindi’s influence and usage over centuries, extending towards various cultures and societies globally.
The Inauguration of the World Hindi Secretariat Building
The World Hindi Secretariat building was unveiled in Port Louis, Mauritius, in 2018. This was a significant milestone marking the continuous efforts to promote the Hindi language’s value and universality across different regions.
National Hindi Day in India
In addition to the World Hindi Day, India also celebrates National Hindi Day annually on September 14. This day commemorates the adoption of Hindi as the nation’s official language by the Constituent Assembly of India back in 1949.
Hindi’s Global Presence
In terms of worldwide usage, Hindi ranks as the third most spoken language, following Mandarin and English. This statistic illustrates the widespread acceptance and popularity of the Hindi language across the globe.
Through events such as World Hindi Day and India’s National Hindi Day, the community of Hindi speakers continues to grow, solidifying Hindi’s global significance. Future generations will likely continue to celebrate and keep alive this rich and influential language, contributing to its continued recognition and use throughout global realms.
