Mumbai, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that Hindi should not be viewed as a rival to any Indian language, but rather as a unifying force that connects the country’s diverse linguistic traditions. Speaking at the Hindi Day celebration and the sixth All India Official Language Conference in Navi Mumbai, Shinde emphasized the importance of promoting Hindi while also preserving regional languages.
In the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Marathi and Hindi through the Devanagari script. He noted that the teachings of saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Namdev have not only shaped Maharashtra’s spiritual traditions but have also contributed to cultural unity across India.
Shinde pointed to the influence of Sant Namdev’s works reaching Punjab and impacting the Guru Granth Sahib, illustrating how Indian languages have maintained dialogue with one another over centuries. He remarked that from Kabir and Tulsidas to modern literature, Hindi has played a crucial role in disseminating Indian culture and ideas to the masses.
Clarifying the role of the national language, Shinde asserted that the expansion of Hindi is not intended to replace regional languages but to advance alongside them. He expressed pride in Maharashtra’s respect for all languages and cultures, highlighting the state’s recognition of Marathi as a classical language while also honoring Hindi.
He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their significant encouragement of Hindi in government affairs, noting Shah’s commitment to processing ministry files in Hindi. Shinde advocated for the use of Hindi beyond everyday conversation, suggesting it should extend into fields such as science, technology, judiciary, police, and general administration to facilitate effective communication between citizens and the government.
He praised the historic decision to abrogate Article 370 under Modi’s leadership, stating it has strengthened national integrity. Shinde underscored Mumbai’s role as India’s economic capital and Maharashtra as the engine of the country’s economic progress. He expressed confidence that Maharashtra would play a significant role in the vision of a “Developed India by 2047.”
Recognizing the contributions of Hindi-speaking citizens to Maharashtra’s industry, trade, and social development, Shinde urged the community to continue their efforts towards the nation’s progress. He emphasized the importance of Shah’s presence at the conference, noting it serves as a pathway to connect various linguistic groups across the country and strengthen the vision of “One India, Great India.”
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