- Hindi Diwas, or National Hindi Day, is an annual celebration dedicated to the Hindi language, one of the official languages of India.
- This day marks the anniversary of the Constituent Assembly of India's decision to adopt Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, as the official language of the Republic of India on September 14, 1949.
- This year (2024), marks the Diamond Jubilee (75 years) of Hindi as an official language in India.
Hindi's Significance
- Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and the third most spoken language globally, after Mandarin Chinese and English.
- The adoption of Hindi as an official language aimed to simplify administration in a linguistically diverse nation and foster unity.
Historical Background of Hindi Diwas or National Hindi Day
- The history of Hindi Diwas traces back to the Indian independence movement.
- In 1918, the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Hindi Literary Conference) was formed to promote the use of Hindi as a national language.
- The Sammelan played a crucial role in the eventual adoption of Hindi as an official language.
- The first Hindi Diwas was celebrated in 1953.
Constitutional Status
While India does not have a designated national language, Hindi, in Devanagari script, is the official language of the central government and the Union as per Article 343 of the Constitution of India.
Aims and Objectives
- Hindi Diwas aims to raise awareness about the Hindi language and its significance.
- It commemorates the historic decision to adopt Hindi as one of the official languages.
- The day also recognizes the efforts of writers, poets, and activists who championed the cause of Hindi.
Celebrations and Recognition
On Hindi Diwas, the President of India presents prestigious awards like the Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar and Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar to individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions in promoting the Hindi language.
World Hindi Day vs Hindi Diwas
While the World Hindi Day is celebrated on January 10 every year, Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14 annually. This day concentrates on promotion and global recognition of the Hindi Language around the world.Top of FormBottom of Form
On the other hand, Hindi Diwas, which is celebrated in India, focuses on recognition of the Hindi language in India. However, there have been debates about promoting this language in non-Hindi speaking regions.
History of Vishwa Hindi Diwas or World Hindi Day
Vishwa Hindi Diwas was started to mark the anniversary of the first time Hindi was spoken in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1949. In the year 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi inaugurated the first World Hindi Conference. Since then, conferences have been organised in different parts of the world.
However, it was on January 10, 2006 when the World Hindi Day was celebrated for the first time. This decision was announced by the then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.