Implementation of resolutions

Government of India has taken the following measures to implement the resolutions adopted at the 7th World Hindi Conference at Paramaribo (Suriname), 5-9 June, 2003:

1. Recognition of Hindi as one of the Official Languages of the UN . 

Ministry of External Affairs has continued with its efforts to get Hindi recognized as one of the official languages of the U.N. Recognising the importance of this matter, various committees under the chairmanship of the Minister for External Affairs, Minister of State for External Affairs and Additional Secretary (Administration) respectively were constituted. In the meetings of these committees, serious deliberations were held on this issue, as a result of which an Advocacy Paper was prepared in order to create a conducive environment in favour of Hindi in U.N. Efforts are continuing in this direction.

2. Establishment of Hindi Chairs in foreign universities and strengthening Hindi teaching activities abroad. 

At present there are 19 Chairs of Indology set up in different universities out of which 12 are Hindi Chairs. 5 more Hindi Chairs are proposed to be set up soon. 

In order to encourage teaching of Hindi abroad action is taken in keeping with the requirement of the country concerned. All possible assistance is being given for teaching of Hindi in countries like Hungary, Poland, Romania, Italy Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Russian, Uzbekistan, Suriname and Guyana etc. This includes financial assistance for getting Hindi text books prepared locally and for buying various teaching aids. Regional Hindi Conferences are also being organized in various countries in coordination with local universities and educational institutions wherein issues related to teaching of Hindi are discussed.

3. Promotion and propagation of Hindi language and literature, networking of Hindi educational institutions and propagation of Hindi among the people of Indian origin.

Regional Hindi Conference are being organized with a view to promote Hindi language and literature in foreign countries. These conferences provide a common platform to the Hindi scholars, teachers, students and literatures of the country concerned.

The Ministry is also extending support to a number of Hindi magazines being published abroad.

4. Development of a Hindi website and use of Information Technology in propagation of Hindi.

A website was made for the seventh World Hindi Conference. A website has also been prepared for the eighth World Hindi Conference.

Efforts are constantly being made to make increasing use of information technology for the propagation of Hindi. Computers and Hindi software have been provided to various foreign universities through our Embassies abroad. This is an ongoing activity of the Ministry.

The Hindi website of Ministry of External Affairs was launched in August, 2006. The special feature of this website is that it is Unicode based, which is the latest encoding system.

5. Publication of a World Directory of Hindi Scholars.

Indian Council of Cultural Relations (I.C.C.R) is preparing this directory. Most of the information has been collected and the directly is likely to be brought out shortly. 

6. World Hindi Day to be celebrated every year.

Ministry of External Affairs and a number of Indian Missions abroad celebrated World Hindi Day on 10th January, 2006 for the first time. Hindi competitions were organized on this occasion. On the occasion of World Hindi Day on 10th January, 2007 Ministry of External Affairs organized a Hindi Essay competition for foreign students, who are studying Hindi in India. The winners were given prizes by the Chief Guest by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma at a grand function held on 10th Janauary,2007. A number of Indian Missions abroad also celebrated World Hindi Day in January, 2007 on a large scale and organized various Hindi competitions and cultural programmes. It has been decided that World Hindi Day will be celebrated annually.

7. Establishment of Caribbean Hindi Parishad.

This proposal was examined in detail by Ministry of External Affairs and it was felt that the present arrangement for promotion and propagation of Hindi in Caribbean countries is adequate.

8. Establishing Hindi Department in 10 Universities of South India.

The Proposal has been sent to the University Grants Commission for consideration and necessary action.

9. Foreign Hindi writings to be incorporated in the M.A. (Hindi) curriculum of Indian Universities.

This proposal has also been sent to the University Grants Commission for consideration and necessary action.

10. Promoting Hindi teaching in Suriname.

Ministry is providing all possible assistance to teaching of Hindi in Suriname. Hindi text books, dictionaries, CD's for teaching Hindi have been provided in large quantity. Indian Embassy is getting Hindi text books prepared with the cooperation of Indian Cultural Centre and local Hindi teachers. In addition, Hindi classes are being held at various places in Suriname. Ministry of External Affairs is facilitating these activities by providing financial assistance.