Regurgitations on Hindi Divas

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 15 September 2025 September 14 is celebrated as Hindi Divas in some parts of India. November 9, the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal, is celebrated as Urdu Day. But let me limit myself to Hindi at the moment as there are still two months remaining for the Urdu Day. It's my perception that when you set aside a specific day for a language, your objective is not to promote that language but to pay lip-service to it. Use of Hindi for office work in Hindi belt and the nationalised banks proudly declaring that, "Humare Yahan Niyamit Roop Se Hindi Ka Prayog Hota Hai " (We regularly use Hindi) will contribute nothing to promoting and developing Hindi as a nationwide language. My point is: when you use Hindi regularly (Niyamit Roop Se), why should you proclaim it only on September 14, Hindi Divas? This suggests that you use Hindi perfunctorily only on September 14. Isn't it? Moreover, these simple declarations in Hindi are written incorrectly even in Hindi belt! Let me cite a couple of examples so that you understand my point. A few years ago, I was in Bhopal on Hindi Divas. There was a board outside the SBI, Main Branch. It stated: "Humare Yahan Bank Se Sambandhit Saare Kaam Hindi Mein Hote Hai" (instead of haiN !) and "Humare Bank Mein Kaamkaaj Ki Bhaasha Hindi Hain" ( in lieu of hai ! ). I immediately entered the bank and met the Manager. I told him, "Aaj Hindi Divas Hai Aur Aapne Baahar Ye Kya Likh Rakha Hai ? " (Today is Hindi Day and what rubbish have you written outside the bank?). Doesn't anyone here know the difference between Hai / HaiN ? I added, "Aur Ye Ghalatiyan Aaj Hindi Divas Ke Mauqe Par Ho Rahi Hain. Laanat Hai Aap Sab Par..." (And these errors are appearing on Hindi Divas....Fie on you all). The Manager was baffled. I adduced these examples to ram home my point that incorrect Hindi is being written and spoken at a place like Bhopal which's known for languages (Hindi / Urdu), literature and culture. We're least bothered about the purity of any language. In these times of social media, people have forgotten to write and speak correctly. Any language, whether it's Hindi/Urdu/English, requires genuine interest and conducive circumstances to thrive and survive. A casual, frivolous and perfunctory attitude towards a language doesn't help it grow. Specific Days are mere tokens. This tokenism cannot create any degree of interest in the growth and development of a language. Agreed, everyone doesn't have a flair or knack for learning and mastering a language or the languages. But we all ought to have at least a smidgen of seriousness about the survival of a language and intention to use it in a correct manner. Languages survive, thrive and retain their essence when we strive for their existence. At the risk of sounding like a hopeless cynic forever sulking, let me tell you, Hindi and Urdu are now moribund languages. I'm not talking about Bambaiya, pedestrian or social media type of substandard Hindi. That's awful and atrocious and will survive but the cultured, standard and refined form of it may breathe its last erelong. That mustn't happen. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/regurgitations-hindi-divas/d/136834 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism