Hindi Diwas 2024 (GS Paper 3, Current Affairs & Events)
Overview:
- Hindi Diwas, observed annually on September 14, celebrates the Hindi language and its profound impact on India's cultural and social landscape.
- The 2024 edition marks the 75th anniversary of Hindi's adoption as one of India's official languages by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.
Theme and Observance:
- The theme for Hindi Diwas 2024 has not yet been officially announced. However, the day will be observed with various events aimed at promoting the use of Hindi.
- Notable activities include the 'अखिल भारतीय राजभाषा सम्मेलन' (Akhil Bhartiya Rajbhasha Sammelan), scheduled for September 15, which will focus on the promotion of Hindi in official and public spheres.
Historical Background:
- Hindi Diwas commemorates the significant milestone of September 14, 1949, when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, as one of the official languages of India.
- This decision aimed to bridge linguistic diversity and foster a sense of unity in the newly independent nation.
- Since its inception in 1953, Hindi Diwas has been celebrated to honor the language's role in India's national identity.
Significance of Hindi:
- Official Language: Hindi, alongside English, is one of India's official languages and is listed among the 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Global Presence: Hindi is the third most spoken language worldwide and has a notable presence in countries such as Mauritius, Nepal, Guyana, Fiji, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
- Constitutional Role: Hindi's inclusion in Article 343(I) and Article 351 of the Indian Constitution highlights its importance in India's socio-political framework.
- Linguistic Unity: Hindi serves as a linguistic bridge among India's diverse communities and is deeply embedded in the nation's cultural and literary heritage.
- Historical Roots: Evolving from ancient languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsha, Hindi reflects a rich linguistic heritage.
States with Hindi as an Official Language:
According to the 2011 Census, Hindi is spoken as a mother tongue by 44% of Indians. It holds official status in the following states:
|
State
|
Official Language Status
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
Primary
|
|
Bihar
|
Primary
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
Primary
|
|
Rajasthan
|
Primary
|
|
Haryana
|
Primary
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
Primary
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
Primary
|
|
Jharkhand
|
Primary
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
Primary
|
|
Delhi
|
Secondary
|
|
Chandigarh
|
Secondary
|
Government Initiatives:
- Hindi Pakhwada: An annual observance from September 1st to September 15th to encourage the use of Hindi in government offices and institutions.
- Awards and Scholarships: Honors like the Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar recognize individuals and organizations for promoting Hindi.
- Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Recognition) Act, 1956: Established a body to support Hindi literature and organize literary events.
- Hindi Language Courses: The Central Hindi Training Institute (CHTI) offers courses to enhance Hindi proficiency.
- Technology Integration: Efforts to increase Hindi accessibility on digital platforms and technology, including Unicode support.
- International Promotion: The World Hindi Secretariat, established in 1999 with Mauritius, advocates for Hindi’s global recognition.
Importance of Hindi Diwas 2024:
- Hindi Diwas 2024 highlights the importance of Hindi in maintaining India's cultural and linguistic identity.
- It celebrates the language’s literary heritage and role in uniting India’s diverse linguistic communities.
- This day is an opportunity to reflect on Hindi’s contribution to national unity and cultural preservation, while also promoting its continued use in official and educational contexts.
