Lecture on “Role and Significance of Hindi Literature in Modern Society” 

Chandigarh, September 24, 2024: The ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a Lecture on “Role and Significance of Hindi Literature in Modern Society” and Declamation Contest.  

Prof. Upasna Joshi Sethi, Honorary Director, ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre welcomed the faculty members, research scholars, students and guest speaker Prof. Ashok Sabharwal, Chairman, Deptt. of Hindi, Panjab University, Chandigarh.   

Prof. Upasna highlighted the importance of Hindi language which has existed since 9th century. We celebrate the ‘Hindi Divas/Pakhwara’ to understand that how this language unites the different communities in one form and that becomes a ‘symbol of unity’ for a diversified country like ‘Bharat’.  Our mother tongue is simple which shows politeness and submissiveness in spoken terminology, she added. She emphasized that more and more can be explored by reading and analysing the approach of Indian thinkers. Hindi is not a language but a technique to influence the world order, she further added.  

Prof. Upasna said, "In present times the European and American countries are feeling the need of the hour to introduce the Hindi in their educational institutions and mostly the teaching of this subject has taken its roots with the whole hearted support of ‘NRI’s." The global leaders have felt that without studying the great Indian literature it is not easy to meet the growing needs of the science and technology, she added.  

While delivering the lecture, Prof. Ashok Sabharwal highlighted the important role of Hindi and other regional languages. He appreciated the National Education Policy 2020 for giving the due place of respect to regional languages. He called upon the youth to care for the rich language ‘Hindi’ and hoped its bright future in the coming years. The Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Education are taking effective steps for promoting the regional languages in India and Ministry of External Affairs is strongly taking up with other countries, he further added.  

More than 15 research scholars and students spoke on the theme of their choice. They shall be awarded on the completion day of ‘Hindi Pakhwara’ on September 30, 2024 in the department of Hindi.  The programme ended with a vote of thanks to the chair and the participants.