Is Hindi a Friend or a Rival to Indian Languages? HM Amit Shah Explains
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Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes the importance of Hindi as a supportive language for India’s diverse linguistic landscape during the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. His remarks highlight the need for Hindi to evolve beyond administrative use and play a vital role in science, technology, and culture.
Key Takeaways
- Hindi as a supportive language: Hindi should be viewed as a companion to other Indian languages.
- Expansion of Hindi's role: Hindi must evolve into the domains of science, technology, and justice.
- Launch of 'Saarthi': A translation tool to enhance communication in regional languages.
- Importance of mother tongue: Children benefit significantly when educated in their native language.
- Cultural unity: Hindi promotes the cultural integration of India’s diverse linguistic heritage.
Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Hindi Diwas 2025 and the fifth All India Rajbhasha Conference at Mahatma Mandir here on Sunday, asserting that Hindi should be regarded as a “friend” of Indian languages rather than a competitor.
“Hindi is not a rival to other Indian languages but a companion language. Over the past five years, hosting this conference in various states instead of Delhi has provided us with a unique opportunity to enhance communication between Hindi and regional languages,” the Union Minister stated during his keynote address.
Reflecting on Hindi's historical acceptance in Gujarat, Union Minister Shah remarked: “From Dayanand Saraswati to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Kanhaiyalal Munshi, and Umashankar Joshi, numerous visionaries from Gujarat adopted Hindi and advocated for it. The coexistence of Gujarati and Hindi has widened our children's reach at the national level.”
He emphasized that the Rajbhasha Conference held outside Delhi for the fifth time is a significant milestone, noting, “It brings fresh perspectives, energy, and inspiration to language enthusiasts.”
The Union Minister advocated for expanding the role of Hindi.
“Hindi should not be limited to conversation and administration—it must also evolve into the language of science, technology, and justice,” he stated.
He launched 'Saarthi', a translation system that enables government correspondence from any state to be translated into Hindi and vice versa, facilitating replies in regional languages.
Highlighting advancements in the Digital Hindi Shabd Sindhu, Union Minister Shah mentioned, “This updated dictionary now contains around seven lakh words and by 2029, it is set to become the world’s largest dictionary across all languages.”
In a symbolic gesture, the Union Minister distributed AI-enabled smart glasses to visually impaired individuals.
“With these glasses, users can read in their native language, recognize familiar faces, identify currency, and access voice assistant support. For the visually impaired, this will serve as a personal companion,” he noted.
Union Minister Shah also encouraged parents nationwide, stating: “Engage with your children in their mother tongue. Psychologists and scholars have demonstrated that when children read, think, analyze, and make decisions in their own language, their capabilities increase by nearly 30 percent.”
Extending greetings on Hindi Diwas, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for uniting India through languages and culture.
“Post-Independence, Sardar Patel integrated princely states to forge an Akhand Bharat. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constructed a cultural bridge of languages and envisioned 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat',” Union Minister Shah remarked.
He added, “Language is inseparable from culture. Gujarat is a melting pot—where diverse languages and traditions coexist. From a developed Gujarat, we are dedicated to contributing to a developed India. Valuing Hindi also signifies respecting the pride of all other Indian languages.”
Chief Minister Patel encouraged citizens to embrace regional languages alongside Hindi in everyday life and praised initiatives like the Digital Hindi Shabd Sindhu.
“On this Hindi Diwas, let us commit to harnessing the strength of all languages—including Hindi—to build an Atmanirbhar, developed and cultured India,” Union Minister Shah declared.
The event also included the release of special publications on Hindi and Indian languages, awards for over a dozen institutions and writers for their contributions to Rajbhasha, and saw participation from more than 6,000 officials and delegates.
Point of View
It’s evident that fostering a sense of unity among India's diverse languages is essential. His emphasis on Hindi as a 'friend' rather than a competitor resonates with the need for inclusivity in our multilingual landscape. The push for Hindi to permeate various domains like science and technology signifies a progressive step towards a cohesive national identity, which should be embraced by all.
NationPress
14/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hindi Diwas?
Hindi Diwas is an annual celebration commemorating the adoption of Hindi as one of the official languages of India, observed on September 14.
Why does Amit Shah consider Hindi a friend?
Amit Shah believes that Hindi complements other Indian languages and should support communication rather than compete with them.
What initiatives were launched during the conference?
The conference saw the launch of 'Saarthi', a translation system for government correspondence, and improvements to the Digital Hindi Shabd Sindhu dictionary.
How does Hindi impact children's learning?
Amit Shah stated that children who think and learn in their mother tongue can increase their cognitive abilities by nearly 30 percent.
What is the significance of the Rajbhasha Conference?
The Rajbhasha Conference aims to enhance the use of Hindi and regional languages, fostering unity and cultural exchange across India.
