World Hindi Day 2022: Celebration, importance and history

Over the years, globalisation has widened our horizons. India has become a hub for new-age businesses, and this globalisation has also broadened the number of languages being used and spoken. From English to French, international languages have found their way into the curriculum as well. That being said, Hindi – our native language – has stood its ground like no other language. 

But what exactly is World Hindi Day and why is it celebrated? In this article, we have tried to find the answers to such questions. Let’s begin. 

About World Hindi Day

World Hindi Day – as the name suggests – is a celebration of India’s native language. It is the lingua franca of the Hindi Belt in India. Not just that, Hindi is also spoken in various other countries such as Nepal. Trinidad, Mauritius, Guyana, etc... In fact, it is the fourth most-spoken language in the world. 

This special day traces its history back to the year 1975 when the first-ever World Hindi Conference was organised in Maharashtra’s Nagpur. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi inaugurated the huge conference. 

Later in 2006, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh officially declared January 10 to be celebrated as World Hindi Day every year. 

Why do we celebrate World Hindi Day?

One of the main reasons why we celebrate World Hindi Day every year is to spread awareness about Hindi as an international language. That is why it is observed by Indian embassies abroad.

In addition to this, such a celebration is also a great way to encourage the young generation to become passionate and interested in this language. There is a huge career scope for Hindi-speaking people; they just need to find the right opportunities. For instance, there are plenty of popular Hindi courses such as BA Hindi, MA Hindi, Journalism, etc. Students can also opt for an M.Phil or a PhD in Hindi language and literature. 

Many universities and colleges also organise literary and cultural programmes like poem competitions, essays, and letter writing completion in the language to encourage students to pursue their passion for Hindi. Additionally, the President of India also gives away prizes in different categories for excellence in different fields based on the language.

Historical and key facts about World Hindi Day

Here are some interesting facts about Hindi Day: 

• It was first celebrated as a World Hindi Conference in Nagpur on January 10, 1975. However, the same conference does not occur every year. 
• Mauritius Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was the chief guest of the first conference.
• A total of 122 delegates from 30 countries participated in the first World Hindi Conference in 1975.
• PM Manmohan Singh officially started the celebration of World Hindi Day in 2006. 
• World Hindi Conferences have been organised in many cities like New York, Spain, Port Louis, London, and Johannesburg.

Importance of World Hindi Day for students

In India, Hindi is regarded as a mother tongue by the populace residing in the Hindi belt. With so many international languages becoming a part of the Indian education system, events like World Hindi Day help in re-establishing the importance of this language among students. 

The events organised on this day aim to preserve interesting facts and the historical significance of the language, thereby connecting it to a feeling of oneness and pride towards the Indian legacy. 

Top colleges/ universities in India offering Hindi courses

Here are some of the best colleges and universities that offer Hindi courses in India: 

• Delhi University: One of the best universities, Delhi University is popular for its BA and MA courses in Hindi. Some of the best colleges that offer these programs are Hindu College, Miranda House, Lady Sriram College, Hansraj, etc.
• Jamia Millia Islamia: Situated in Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia or JMI is a central university known for its Hindi courses in journalism and literature.
• Benaras Hindu University: Also known as BHU, the university has one of the leading Hindi departments in the country. It has Hindi-loving students not just from India but also from countries like Britain, Canada, Korea, Vietnam, China, etc.

After pursuing Hindi courses, one can opt for a wide range of career options. Some of these are teacher, professor, anchor, journalist, writer, screenwriter, translator, voice-over artist, Hindi typists, and so on. 

Students who have studied Hindi as a major subject during school or graduation can also opt for professional courses from top universities like Sunstone to get global exposure and placement assistance. 

FAQs