SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday described Hindi as a symbol of national unity and identity, urging the youth to embrace linguistic harmony and respect all languages.
He was addressing a gathering at “Hindi Rangmanch – Humari Bhasha, Humari Pehchaan”, an event organised by Wadies Hindi Shiksha Samiti at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
Lauding the Samiti’s efforts to promote Hindi in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said, “In the last 75 years, Hindi has become the language that connects the country and reflects our shared culture. It is not just a medium of communication, but a symbol of pride, integrity, and unity.”
Referring to India’s linguistic diversity, the Lt Governor noted that 453 languages are officially spoken across the country, with Hindi serving as a connecting link for 140 crore citizens. He appealed to the youth to learn multiple languages while remaining proud of their mother tongues.
Highlighting the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 debate on the official language, Sinha said Hindi had received maximum support from non-Hindi speaking regions, underlining its role in national integration during the freedom struggle.
He also praised the Department of Culture and the JK Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for preserving and promoting the region’s linguistic heritage.
On the occasion, Sinha felicitated students, teachers and artists who participated in a campaign by Wadies Hindi Shiksha Samiti earlier this year across four Kendriya Vidyalayas to generate interest in Hindi among classes 6 to 10.
The event was attended by Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Param Vir Chakra awardee Yogendra Yadav, JK Bank MD and CEO Amitava Chatterjee, KVS Jammu Deputy Commissioner Nagendra Goyal, Wadies Samiti president Nasreen Ali Nidhi, along with senior officials, educationists and literary figures.
