GUWAHATI, March 5: Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai on Wednesday underlined the significance of Hindi as an official language and a unifying force in India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
Addressing the Joint Regional Official Language Conference and Award Distribution Ceremony for the East and Northeast regions here, the Union minister highlighted the significance of the Rajbhasha Sammelan as a platform for encouraging the use of Hindi across government departments, offices and banks.
He stressed that government schemes and initiatives must be effectively communicated to all citizens, ensuring equal access and benefits.
Organised by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, the conference focused on the promotion of Hindi, its growing use in government work, and the integration of technology to enhance its accessibility.
Rai further underscored the importance of fostering a strong connection between the government and the public through the use of familiar languages, reinforcing Hindi’s role in this endeavour.
The minister reiterated that language is not just a means of communication but a reflection of a nation’s cultural identity.
He elaborated on various initiatives undertaken by the government to promote Hindi and other Indian languages, including the launch of the ‘Kanthasth’ translation tool in 2018, the emphasis on mother tongues in the New Education Policy of 2020, and legislative measures to include Hindi, Kashmiri and Dogri in the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, he highlighted the introduction of the ‘All India Rajbhasha Sammelan’ in 2022 and the expansion of the ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Purashkar Yojana.’ He emphasised the need to integrate Hindi and Indian languages with technology, ensuring wider accessibility and efficiency.
Addressing the event, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, described Hindi as a symbol of national unity. Sarma noted that despite India’s linguistic diversity, Hindi served as a vital link connecting different regions.
He praised the Ministry of Home Affairs for its efforts in advancing translation software and integrating Hindi into modern technological platforms, urging for even greater inclusion of Hindi in governance and administrative functions.
During the event, awards were presented to government offices and banks for excellence in official language implementation.