Emphasising the significance of Hindi as a language, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that in the future, English, Mandarin and Hindi will play a very important role in the digital world.
“According to the tech-savvy, three languages will play a very significant role in the digital world and they are English, Mandarin and Hindi," Prime Minister Modi said.
Prime Minister was addressing inaugural session of 10th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan here on Thursday. He further said that eminence of Hindi as language is increasing in the world. To enrich Hindi, it should be linked to other Indian languages and its digital use increased.
The Prime Minister dedicated a postal stamp on the Sammelan. He also released Vishwa Hindi Sammelan's souvenir and special issue of magazine 'Gagananchal' and 'Pravasi Sahitya Johannesburg Se Aage'.
Prime Minister Modi said that it is the responsibility of every generation to preserve the heritage and pass it on to the next generation. language is not static or inanimate, but has consciousness like life. This is experienced through linguistic development and enrichment. Representatives of 39 countries are taking part in the Sammelan.
language has power and makes situation conducive for itself from where it passes through. Hindi should absorb the best in other Indian languages. It should be linked with rich treasure of mother tongues of other states. According to linguists, 90 per cent of languages are faced with threat of extinction by the end of 21st century. Take it as a challenge and conserve and promote our language. Our language is a treasure of knowledge and experience. Attachment with language is necessary to promote it.
The Prime Minister said that digital world has permeated deep into our life. We should mould Hindi and other Indian languages to suit technology. India is going to become a major market in changed technological scenario. language is means of expression. language should be inclusive and not exclusive. Every India language is invaluable. Power of language can be gauged by the fact that movement for Hindi in India was run by persons whose mother tongue was not Hindi, which is inspirational. language and script have separate powers. Had proposal of writing all languages in Nagari script been effective, script would have assumed a role of national unity. Today, importance of Hindi is increasing in different countries. Indian films screened abroad have spread Hindi in the world. He said that through Vishwa Hindi Sammelan, initiative would be taken to further enrich Hindi and definite conclusions will be drawn.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj while throwing light on significance of organising the Sammelan at Bhopal, said that the state government is committed to promoting Hindi and Bhopal has been famous for organising successful conventions. She said that this Sammelan is being held after a gap of 32 years in India.
First Sammelan was held at Nagpur in 1975. Since then, the Sammelan has changed its nature during 10 sammelans. Earlier, Sammelans focused on Hindi literature. Swaraj said that apart from promotion, preservation has now also become need of the hour for progress of Hindi.
She said that reports of parallel sessions will be written immediately and got approved by scholars also so that recommendations can be read out in the concluding session and implementation on them also started. She hoped that Sammelan will be result-oriented. Swaraj said that every citizen feels proud that the Prime Minister speaks in Hindi. This Sammelan will give momentum to Prime Minister's efforts and Hindi will get its desired place and respect. She informed that 12 parallel sessions will be held on expansion and prospects of Hindi.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed the Prime Minister and the guests. He expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for giving consent to organise the Sammelan in Bhopal.
Chouhan said that Gujarat, from where Mahatma Gandhi had given clarion call for Hindi, today Modi from the same Gujarat is adding to honour of Hindi. He said that demand to make Hindi national language had also been raised from Gujarat. Modi is Hindi speaking Prime Minister and has enhanced Hindi's honour in country and abroad. The Chief Minister said that he will implement conclusions drawn at this Sammelan in letter and spirit.
Minister of State for External Affairs Gen VK Singh proposed a vote of thanks. The Sammelan started with Hindi Stuti Gaan. Guests were welcomed with stoles.
Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, West Bengal's Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi, Goa's Governor Mridula Sinha, Union Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Jharkhand's Chief Minister Raghuvar Das, Union Science and Technology Minister Harshvardhan, Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijuju, Human Resources and Technology Minister of Mauritius leela Devi Dukhan lachhuman, Foreign Secretary Anil Wadhwa, Organising Committee's Vice President Anil Madhav Dave, Hind scholars from various countries and members of the state cabinet were present on the occasion.