Hindi Diwas

Hindi Diwas celebrates the pride and beauty of our mother tongue.

हिन्दी है हमारी मातृभाषा,

इसमें बसती हमारी आशा।

देवनागरी की ये मिठास,

जोड़ती है सबको पास।

चलों बढ़ाएं हिन्दी का नाम,

बूझे न कोई इसका काम।

संस्कृति हमारी,

भाषा प्यारी,

हिन्दी से ही है सारी।

हर शब्द में है अपनापन,

हिन्दी में है मन का सम्मान।

हिन्दी दिवस मनाएं हम सब,भाषा की करे हम जो बात।

Hindi Diwas (हिन्दी दिवस) is celebrated every year on 14th September in India to promote and propagate the Hindi language, which is one of the most widely spoken languages in the country.

🗓️ Why is Hindi Diwas Celebrated on 14th September?

On 14th September 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi written in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India. To mark this significant decision, Hindi Diwas is celebrated every year on this date.

🇮🇳 Importance of Hindi Diwas

• Promotes linguistic unity in a diverse country.

• Encourages the use of Hindi in government work, education, and daily life.

• Honors the contributors who worked for the promotion of Hindi.

• Reminds Indians of their linguistic heritage.

📜 Key Facts About Hindi:

• Hindi is spoken by over 40% of Indians as a first language.

• It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India.

• Hindi is also recognized as one of the official languages of the United Nations.

• Hindi Diwas is different from World Hindi Day, which is celebrated on 10th January every year to promote Hindi globally.

🎉 How is Hindi Diwas Celebrated?

• Schools and colleges organize debates, essay writing, poetry, and cultural events in Hindi.

• Government offices honor individuals for their contributions to the language with awards like the Rajbhasha Puraskar.

• Seminars, workshops, and conferences are held to discuss the development of Hindi.

🧠 Thought for Hindi Diwas:

"हिन्दी हमारे देश की आत्मा है। इसे अपनाना हमारा गौरव है।"("Hindi is the soul of our nation. Embracing it is our pride.")

History of Hindi Diwas

The history of Hindi Diwas dates back to the period shortly after India gained independence from British rule.

• After independence, the newly formed Constituent Assembly of India was tasked with framing the Constitution and deciding the official language of the country.

• On 14th September 1949, the Constituent Assembly officially adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India.

• This decision was significant because India is a multilingual country with hundreds of languages, and adopting Hindi was seen as a way to unify the nation through a common official language.

• However, the choice of Hindi was not without controversy. There were protests from southern states like Tamil Nadu, where people opposed the imposition of Hindi.

• To address these concerns, the Constitution of India also allowed the continued use of English as an associate official language for 15 years after independence, and the Eighth Schedule recognized multiple regional languages.

• The Hindi Diwas celebration was started to honor the importance of Hindi and to promote its use across India.

• Since then, 14th September has been celebrated annually as Hindi Diwas to commemorate the adoption of Hindi as the official language.

Important Timeline:

• 1947: India gains independence.

• 14 September 1949: Hindi adopted as official language by Constituent Assembly.

• 26 January 1950: Constitution of India comes into effect.

• 1965: The deadline for Hindi replacing English was extended due to protests; English continues as an associate official language.

Why is Hindi Important?

Hindi is deeply rooted in Indian culture and history. It is the mother tongue of millions and connects people across different states. The celebration of Hindi Diwas is a way to honor this rich linguistic heritage and encourage its usage.

Here's a deeper dive into the constitutional aspects of Hindi as an official language and the major Hindi language movements in India:

Constitutional Aspects of Hindi as Official Language

1. Adoption of Hindi in the Constitution:

• The Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language on 14th September 1949.

• This was enshrined in Article 343 of the Indian Constitution:

  • Article 343(1) states: “The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.”

• However, the Constitution also recognized the importance of English:

  • Article 343(2) allowed the continued use of English as an official language for 15 years (i.e., till 26 January 1965).

2. Official Languages Act, 1963:

• Due to resistance, especially from non-Hindi speaking states (primarily in the south), the government passed the Official Languages Act in 1963.

• It provided for the continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes even after 1965.

• The Act was amended in 1967 to make the use of English indefinite unless Parliament decided otherwise.

3. Eighth Schedule of the Constitution:

• Hindi is one of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

• This schedule recognizes languages that the government promotes for cultural and educational purposes.

• Hindi has the largest number of speakers among these languages.

Hindi Language Movements

1. Pre-Independence Movement:

• Hindi gained prominence during the Indian freedom struggle as a language of national identity.

• Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi promoted Hindi as a unifying language to bring together people from different regions.

• Hindi replaced Urdu in many official and educational contexts in North India, with some tensions due to religious and cultural differences.

2. Post-Independence Language Movement:

• After independence, the idea was to promote Hindi as the national language.

• This was met with resistance in many non-Hindi speaking states, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

• The most famous opposition was the Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu during the 1930s and again in the 1960s.

• Protesters feared Hindi imposition would marginalize their own languages and cultures.

• These movements led to the central government allowing English to remain an associate official language indefinitely.

3. Promotion of Hindi:

• Various organizations like Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha were founded to promote Hindi.

• Hindi has been encouraged through education, media, literature, and government functions.

• Hindi Diwas celebrations serve to honor and renew efforts toward Hindi promotion.

Summary

• The Constitution made Hindi the official language but allowed English for official use.

• To address linguistic diversity and protests, English was allowed to continue indefinitely.

• Hindi language movements reflect the balancing act between promoting Hindi as a national language and respecting India's linguistic diversity.

Here’s an overview of major Hindi literature movements and some famous personalities who significantly contributed to the growth of the Hindi language and its literature:

Major Hindi Literature Movements

1. Bhakti Movement (14th–17th Century)

• This was a devotional movement focusing on love and devotion to God.

• It played a key role in shaping Hindi literature by making spiritual and philosophical ideas accessible to common people through poetry and songs.

• The literature was mostly in Awadhi and Braj dialects, early forms of Hindi.

2. Riti Kal (17th–19th Century)

• Known as the "Classical Period," this phase focused on ornate, poetic style and formalism.

• Themes revolved around love, heroism, and descriptions of nature.

• Poets used highly stylized language and adhered to strict poetic rules.

3. Bhakti and Riti Kal gave way to Adhunika (Modern) Period (20th Century onward)

• This period is marked by social reform, nationalism, and modern themes in Hindi literature.

• Writers addressed social issues like caste discrimination, poverty, and women’s rights.

• Literature became a medium for awakening national consciousness during the freedom struggle.

4. Chhayavad (1918–1936)

• Known as the "Neo-romanticism" era in Hindi literature.

• Emphasis on romanticism, nature, mysticism, and individualism.

• It was a literary renaissance in Hindi poetry and prose, producing some of the most influential works.

5. Pragativad (Progressivism) and Dalit Literature (Post-independence)

• Literature focused on social realism, critiquing societal inequalities.

• Dalit literature emerged as a strong voice against caste oppression and social injustice.

• Writers advocated for equality, justice, and empowerment of marginalized groups.

Famous Personalities Who Contributed to Hindi’s Growth

1. Tulsidas (1532–1623)

• Author of the epic Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi Hindi.

• His work popularized Hindi literature and made religious stories accessible to the masses.

2. Kabir (1440–1518)

• Mystic poet and saint whose works in simple Hindi questioned religious orthodoxy and promoted unity.

• His couplets (dohe) remain popular and influential.

3. Jaishankar Prasad (1889–1937)

• A major figure in the Chhayavad movement.

• Known for his poetry, plays, and novels.

• Famous works include Kamayani (poetry) and Skandagupta (play).

4. Mahadevi Verma (1907–1987)

• One of the prominent poets of the Chhayavad era.

• Known for her sensitive and introspective poetry and social activism.

5. Premchand (1880–1936)

• Renowned for his short stories and novels focusing on social issues like poverty and caste discrimination.

• Works like Godaan and Nirmala are classics of Hindi literature.

6. Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1907–2003)

• Famous for his poetry collection Madhushala.

• He played a key role in popularizing Hindi poetry.

7. Dushyant Kumar (1933–1975)

• Known for his powerful and socially relevant poetry, particularly Saadho, Samay Kuchh Bhi Kare Sach Hai.

8. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (1908–1974)

• A nationalist poet and essayist, known for his patriotic and revolutionary poems.

• His work Rashmirathi is very famous.

Other Contributors:

• Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala' — poet and essayist of the Chhayavad era.

• Sumitranandan Pant — another key Chhayavad poet.

• Bhikhari Thakur — folk poet and playwright, contributed to Bhojpuri and Hindi folk literature.

Here are some famous poems and excerpts from notable Hindi writers, followed by a brief on how Hindi literature has evolved in the digital age.

Famous Poems & Excerpts from Renowned Hindi Writers

1. Kabir — Couplets (Dohe)

“बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय।जो दिल खोजा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय॥”(“When I searched for evil, I found none; But when I searched my own heart, none was worse than me.”)

2. Tulsidas — From Ramcharitmanas

“सियाराम मय सब जग जानी। करहु प्रणाम जोरि जुग पानी॥”(“Everyone knows the world is filled with Sita and Rama; I bow with folded hands and folded water.”)

3. Jaishankar Prasad — from Kamayani

“कुछ तो है जो चुपके से बोलता है,हृदय की गहराइयों में अनकहा रहता है।”(“There is something that speaks softly, Unspoken, it dwells deep in the heart.”)

4. Mahadevi Verma — from सूरज का दूध

“मैं अपने घावों का दूध पिलाती हूँ,अपने टूटे हुए सपनों को संजोती हूँ।”(“I nourish my wounds with milk,I cherish my broken dreams.”)

5. Premchand — from Godaan (Excerpt)

Premchand’s prose doesn’t have short verses but his storytelling reflects deep social realism and empathy.“गरीब का जीवन एक सदा दुखों का गीत है। लेकिन वही गीत एक दिन मधुर संगीत बन जाता है।”(“The life of the poor is always a song of sorrow, but one day that song becomes sweet music.”)

6. Harivansh Rai Bachchan — from Madhushala

“मधुशाला में हम तुमको बुलायेंगे,सराबों में फिर से जलायेंगे,फिर जाम उठाकर कहेंगे,‘जिंदगी है, इसे जी भर के जीना है।’”(“We will call you to the tavern, Light the cups again in mirages, Raise the glass once more and say, ‘Life is to be lived to the fullest.’”)

7. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar — from Rashmirathi

“वीर गाथा कही, जो तूने मुझसे सुनी है,शूरवीर हृदय की, वो अग्नि ही तो है।”(“The heroic tale you have heard from me,Is the fire of a brave heart.”)

Evolution of Hindi Literature in the Digital Age

1. Digitization and Accessibility:

• Hindi literature has become widely accessible through e-books, digital libraries, and online archives.

• Classic and modern works are available on platforms like Google Books, Project Gutenberg, and Indian digital libraries.

2. Online Literary Communities:

• Websites, blogs, and social media platforms host discussions, poetry forums, and literary festivals online.

• Platforms like Kavita Kosh provide vast collections of Hindi poems.

3. Self-Publishing and Indie Writers:

• Digital platforms enable new writers to publish without traditional publishers.

• Writers use blogs, Wattpad, and Kindle Direct Publishing to reach readers globally.

4. Multimedia and Interactive Literature:

• Poetry and stories are shared via audio-visual formats, including YouTube recitations and podcasts.

• Interactive storytelling apps engage younger audiences.

5. Language Tools and AI:

• Advanced Hindi typing tools, grammar checkers, and AI-based translators help writers and readers.

• AI helps translate and promote Hindi literature internationally.

6. Social Media Influence:

• Platforms like Instagram and Twitter have poetry accounts with bite-sized Hindi poems and quotes, popular among youth.

• Hashtags like #HindiPoetry and #HindiSahitya connect communities.

Conclusion

Hindi Diwas is a symbol of our national pride. It inspires us to understand and respect our mother tongue, Hindi. Hindi is not just a language but also the voice of our culture, identity, and history. We must pledge to promote Hindi and spread it globally. This is the greatest lesson Hindi Diwas teaches us.