Shri Sailesh, Secretary, Department of Official Language,

Dr. R. Sasidharan, Vice Chancellor, Cochin University of Science and Technology,

Dr. Bipin Bihari, Joint Secretary, Department of Official Language, Govt. of India,

Shri B.L. Meena, Deputy Secretary, Department of Official Language, Govt. of India,

Senior officials of various Departments, Other dignitaries,

Madhyama Suhruthukkale,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellavarkkum Enter Namaskaram,

Aap Sabka Keral mein Swagat hai.

       I have great pleasure in addressing this Regional Official Language Conference, which is organized by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs for the benefit of Central Government Offices, Banks and Public Sector Undertakings located in the South and South-West regions of the country.

Let me at the outset, compliment the Department of   Official Languagefor playing an important role in ensuring the compliance of Official Language policy of the Union and promoting the use of Hindi in Central Government offices. I also avail this opportunity to compliment all the persons who have received awards for the effective use of Hindi in their official work.

As we all know, languages are an integral part of the heritage of a Nation.  Like rivers that make our land fertile, languages spring from the  past, flow over the bustling present and cascade into the distant future, shaping our culture and way of life. Our languages vary in tone and structure, but they   serve as a virtual link between not only lands but people as well, bringing them together. This aspect of unity confers on rivers and languages, a sanctity that very few things enjoy.

Hindi has always been a strong medium for strengthening the unity of India.  In fact, we owe a lot to Mahatma Gandhi, Father of our Nation, for the elevation of Hindi as the Official Language of the Indian Union.  Gandhiji who envisioned India as a Commonwealth of Languages, recognized the immense potential of Hindi, and the Swadeshi Spinning Wheel, as motivating factors to unite and rally the people against the British rule. As a result, propagation of Hindi and wearing of Khadi came to be seen as the hallmarks of our heroic struggle for freedom.

Though Hindi was declared as the official language, the Constitution itself provides for the use of English as the link language. The Constitution has entrusted us with the responsibility of the development and propagation of the Official language, Hindi.  Article 351 of the Constitution, makes it  our responsibility to ensure continuous enrichment of Hindi vocabulary by adopting the popular words of our regional languages. It also obligates us to promote the regional languages including the mother tongue in different States and regions. However, the promotion of the national language always deserves great importance.

We need to maximize the use of Hindi in its simplest form for transacting the official work of the Union.  A language can be effective and popular if it is easily understood and used without any hesitation. All Indian languages are very rich in nature and they promote the cultural diversity of the nation. Tamil, for instance, is regarded as one of the oldest languages. Like Malayalam, it also enjoys the status of a Classical language. And, the similarities in the languages of India speak volumes about the way they contribute to the nurturing of the culture of India. Therefore, the development, promotion and dissemination of all regional languages will also help to empower Hindi.

It also merits mention that the Official Languages Act of 1963 which guides the functioning of the Raj Bhasha Vibhag of the Government of India, has given ample consideration to our linguistic variety. While promoting the use of Hindi, it also provides that Communications from Central Government to   southern States like Kerala belonging to the Region "C", should be in English, of course, with an additional Hindi version. I have noted that the provision of the Hindi version of official communications familiarizes people with official terms in Hindi, thereby nurturing an interest to learn the language.

However, we should not forget that people from southern India have played an important role in bringing Hindi to its present position.  Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramiahof Andhra Pradesh, for example, was a notable Hindi specialist. Dr. M. Satyanarayana also from Andhra, was the organizer of Hindi movement in southern India.

Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachaar Sabhafounded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918 in Chennai is a prominent Hindi organization which is doing commendable work to promote and propagate Hindi. This historic institution has recently completed 100 years of its establishment and is successfully imparting Hindi training to around four lakh students every year. A branch of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachaar Sabha is located in Kochi as well. We also have Keala Hindi Prachar Sabha actively engaged in the propagation of Hindi. Many of our literary works have been translated to Hindi, and major Hindi works translated to Malayalam, thanks to the efforts of Sahitya Akademy.

On the whole, I feel that the usage of Hindi has increased in official work but there is still a lot to be done. I hope that all the award winners of today will make continuous efforts to enhance the use of Hindi in their respective fields of work.

I compliment the Department of Official Language for organizing this conference in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Dhanyavad

Jai Hind

***