Hindi Diwas 2017

Hindi Diwas is observed on 14 September to remember a constitutional language decision taken by India's Constituent Assembly in 1949.

Hindi Diwas is observed on 14 September to remember a constitutional language decision taken by India's Constituent Assembly in 1949. On that date the Assembly accepted Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union, while the Constitution also created provisions governing the continued use of English and the country's multilingual administration. The observance is therefore connected with the development and public use of Hindi rather than with the declaration of a single 'national language'; India has no constitutionally designated national language. Hindi Diwas programmes commonly encourage writing, translation, terminology development, literature and effective official communication. In a country with hundreds of languages and rich regional literary traditions, the day also sits within a larger conversation about multilingualism. Its constructive purpose is to promote Hindi while respecting the constitutional place and cultural value of India's other languages.

The 1949 Constituent Assembly decision followed difficult debate about a language suitable for Union administration in a multilingual country. Article 343 names Hindi in Devanagari as the Union's official language, while constitutional provisions and subsequent legislation also provide for English. Calling Hindi India's sole national language would misrepresent the constitutional settlement. Other languages have constitutional protections and their own public and literary traditions.

Government offices, schools and universities arrange essay competitions, translation workshops, poetry readings and programmes about clear administrative writing. The day can encourage good Hindi terminology in science and technology without discouraging mother-tongue education or other Indian languages. Hindi Diwas on 14 September must also be distinguished from World Hindi Day, observed on 10 January.

Promotes effective Hindi usage while respecting India's multilingual constitutional framework; Hindi is not designated the national language.

Essay and translation competitions, poetry readings, official-language workshops and literary programmes; no religious rituals.

Observed across India on 14 September, recalling the Constituent Assembly decision of 1949; distinct from World Hindi Day on 10 January.