Rajbhasha

India Language

September 14, 2024

A commemorative postage stamp on the Diamond Jubilee of Rajbhasha (official language) of India : Hindi :

Issued by India

Issued on Sep 14, 2024

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to announce the release of a commemorative postage stamp to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Rajbhasha, marking 75 years since Hindi was officially designated as the Union’s language. This commemorative stamp is designed to honor the significant role Hindi has played in fostering unity and serving the diverse linguistic communities across India. The commemorative postage stamp will stand as a tribute to the enduring importance of Hindi in the nation’s administrative and cultural landscape, celebrating its journey and impact over the past 75 years.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Sankha Samanta
FDC resource material : National Mission of Manuscripts
Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Sankha Samanta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 305950

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

On 14 September 2024, India will celebrate a significant milestone: the 75^th anniversary of Hindi designated as the official language of the Union. This occasion, known as Hindi Day, commemorates a crucial decision made by the Constituent Assembly on this date in 1949. The decision was taken after rigorous debates about the official language and script, culminating in the choice of Hindi written in the Devanagari script.
The debate on the official language began on 12 September 1949 and concluded on 14 September 1949. During this period, members of the Constituent Assembly engaged in a series of discussions but the majority favored the Devanagari script. This preference was solidified in the final agreement, which established Hindi as the official language of the Union in Devanagari script.
The decision was later formalized with the enactment of the Official Languages Act, 1963. This Act was designed to facilitate the use of Hindi in official transactions of the Union. This was further supported by the Official Language Resolution adopted in December 1968 and the Official Language Rules, 1976. These legislative measures were aimed at ensuring the progressive implementation of Hindi for various official purposes of the Union.
The Department of Official Language was established in June 1975 as an independent department within the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its primary mandate is to ensure compliance with constitutional and legal provisions regarding the use of Hindi and to promote its use in official matters based on the policy of motivation, encouragement and goodwill. Since its inception, the Department has been dedicated to advancing the progressive use of Hindi. In recent years, the Department has undertaken several significant initiatives:
- Development of “Kanthastha” Software: A notable achievement is the creation of “Kanthastha,” a software developed with the help of the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune. This software leverages memory and artificial intelligence to assist in translating new documents. Kanthastha utilizes both local and global translation memory to improve accuracy and efficiency. An advanced version, Kanthastha-2.0 was launched on the occasion of Hindi Diwas on September 14, 2022. It features enhanced capabilities and tools, reflecting the Department’s commitment to technological advancement in language translation.
- Creation of Digital Dictionary “Hindi Shabd Sindhu”: Another significant initiative is the development of a digital dictionary named “Hindi Shabd Sindhu.” This comprehensive resource includes terms from various domains such as health, technology, media, and law. It also integrates popular words from different Indian languages, showcasing the richness and diversity of the linguistic landscape in India. This dictionary aims to enhance the accessibility and usability of Hindi in various professional and academic fields.
- Establishment of Bhartiya Bhasha Anubhag: The Bhartiya Bhasha Anubhag is an ambitious project initiated by the Department also to have the official correspondence between the Central and State Governments in the respective official languages of the States. This initiative is designed to facilitate more efficient and effective communication within the framework of India’s federal structure.
- Hindi Diwas and Official Language Conferences: The Department has organized a series of events to promote Hindi, including the Hindi Diwas celebrations and All India Official Language Conferences. The first conference took place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on 13-14 November 2021, under the guidance of the Hon’ble Home Minister. It saw participation from over 2,500 Hindi enthusiasts from across the country. The second and third conferences were held in Surat (2022) and Pune (2023), respectively, with each event drawing over 8000 participants. The fourth conference is scheduled for 14-15 September 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, coinciding with this year’s Hindi Day celebrations. This event is also expected to attract more than 8,000 central government officials.
To honor the 75^th anniversary of Hindi as the official language, the Department of Official Language has declared 2024-25 as the Official Language Diamond Jubilee Year. This special designation reflects the Department’s efforts to recognize and celebrate the significance of the official language Hindi in India’s official and cultural spheres.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.