Chandigarh, 13 September 2024:- Two years after independence, on 14 September 1949, Hindi was declared the official language by a unanimous vote in the Constituent Assembly. After this decision, on the request of Rashtriya Bhasha Prachar Samiti, Wardha, to spread Hindi in every field, 14 September was celebrated as Hindi Diwas every year all over India from 1953. Carrying forward this tradition, Hindi Diwas was celebrated today in the Hindi Department, Punjab University, Chandigarh. Its theme was 'Hindi Journalism in the Present'.
The program began with the formal welcome of the keynote speaker Mr. Arun Nathani (Assistant Editor, Dainik Tribune, Chandigarh), Saraswat Guest Prof. Rajesh Kumar Sharma (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India), and Saraswat Guest Dr. Suruchi Aditya (Vice President, PUTA) by the Head of the Department Prof. Ashok Kumar.
In the program, the researchers of the department Madhu Kumari, Reena Bisht, Bobija and students Anuj Kumar, Narayan Bhadoria presented poems and thoughts on topics related to Hindi language. In the same sequence, Prof. Rajesh Kumar, while giving his views on the origin and constitutional status of Hindi language, said that the main task of journalism is to establish unity among the general public.
The keynote speaker Mr. Arun Nathani, while talking about the past of journalism, highlighted the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Madan Mohan Malviya, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Bharatendu. He said that journalism is necessary to bring awareness in the society. Checking the authenticity and originality of the news, credibility of print media, quality of social media – these are the main points of today's journalism, on the basis of which the future of India stands. He also expressed concern over the ill effects of social media.
Dr. Suruchi Aditya expressed her views on the importance of language through words. At the end of the program, the head of the department said regarding celebrating Hindi fortnight that various types of activities will be organized in the department in the coming days. He said that despite the challenges, the future of Hindi is bright and thanked the guests present.