Hindi- a bridge of unity: CM Sarma advocates linguistic harmony at regional language conference

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 5, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday underscored Hindi’s role in national unity while stressing the importance of regional languages at the Joint Regional Official Language Conference of the Eastern and Northeastern regions. The event, organized by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, took place at Mayfair Resort, Sonapur, Guwahati.

Welcoming dignitaries, Sarma hailed Hindi as a language that fosters cultural cohesion and congratulated recognized offices and organizations for their exemplary use of it. While advocating Hindi’s wider reach, he reaffirmed that regional languages must thrive alongside it.

Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s vision, Sarma emphasized that by India’s centenary of independence, Hindi and regional languages should be so well-developed that reliance on foreign languages diminishes. He linked language preservation to civilizational continuity and urged for a balance between tradition and modernization.

The Chief Minister pointed out that colonial rule instilled a preference for English, delaying Hindi’s adoption in Northeast India. Over time, however, the region realized Hindi’s significance as a gateway to employment, particularly in North India. Limited exposure to Hindi once restricted career opportunities for Assamese youth, but its growing acceptance has gradually reversed the trend.

Sarma also reflected on the Indian Constitution’s emphasis on making Hindi simple and practical, ensuring it remains free from technical complexities. He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to integrate elements from regional languages, making Hindi more accessible and inclusive.

Acknowledging Assam’s dual identity as part of both the Northeast and Eastern India, Sarma expressed gratitude to Amit Shah and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai for hosting the conference in Guwahati. He urged the Department of Official Language to expand its initiatives beyond central government institutions to state government offices, ensuring a deeper appreciation of Hindi at local levels.

Sarma clarified that Hindi should not be perceived as a language imposed by the central government but rather as one that coexists and flourishes alongside regional languages. He emphasized linguistic inclusivity, asserting that India’s strength lies in its diverse yet interconnected cultural fabric.

The event saw Sarma and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai conferring the prestigious Rajbhasha Award on government offices and organizations that demonstrated excellence in Hindi usage.

Dignitaries present at the event included Dilip Saikia, Assam BJP president and MP, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Professor Dilip Kumar Medhi (Gauhati University), Professor S. Padmapriya (Pondicherry University), Professor Veerbhadra Karkidholi (Hindi Scholar, Sikkim), Anshuli Arya, Secretary, Department of Official Language and Dr. Meenakshi Jolly, Joint Secretary, Department of Official Language.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai highlighted Hindi’s importance as both an official language and a unifying force. He underscored that effective governance relies on language accessibility, ensuring government initiatives are communicated clearly and inclusively.

During the event, a special edition of the departmental magazine ‘Rajbhasha Bharti’ was unveiled, along with the launch of the alpha version of ‘Kanthastha (3.0),’ a multilingual translation software developed for the Bhartiya Bhasha Anubhag.

As the discussion around linguistic harmony continues, the event reinforced the message that Hindi’s expansion must go hand-in-hand with the protection and promotion of regional languages, ensuring a truly inclusive linguistic future for India.