UN celebrates ‘Hindi Diwas’ at New York Headquarters

New York, November 23: The United Nations marked Hindi Diwas on Friday at its headquarters in New York, with the event attended by Members of Parliament (MPs) from India, diplomats, and guests from across the world. This year’s celebration was particularly significant as it was the first time Hindi Diwas was organized at the UN, highlighting India’s commitment to promoting multilingualism on the global stage.

MP Birendra Prasad Baishya spoke about the widespread popularity of Hindi in various countries, emphasizing its growing appeal internationally. The event was organized with the aim of fostering greater participation from the global Hindi-speaking diaspora, including communities from Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, and Suriname.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, underscored the importance of this year’s celebration, noting that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Hindi’s adoption as one of India’s official languages. He was joined by Permanent Representatives of Mauritius and Nepal, along with representatives from Guyana and Suriname, who highlighted the role of Hindi in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between nations.

The event also featured a range of competitions, including an essay contest on “Women Empowerment,” poetry writing on the importance of Hindi, recitals and singing of Hindi poems and songs, and a quiz on India’s civilization. These activities encouraged participation from Hindi enthusiasts, diaspora members, and UN officials and their families.

Hindi Diwas, celebrated annually on September 14 in India, commemorates the cultural and linguistic significance of the language and its role in fostering national unity. This event at the UN further strengthened the global recognition of Hindi as an important tool for communication and diplomacy.