The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) celebrated Hindi Diwas on September 14, 2023. IIM Indore’s Director, Prof. Himanshu Rai, inaugurated the event. Prof. Anand Pradhan, Professor of Journalism and Course Director of the Indian Languages (Hindi) Journalism program at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Speaking about the vital role of languages in shaping a nation’s culture and identity, Prof. Rai highlighted the need to understand the profound connection between language, culture, and civilization. He stressed that just as Sanskriti (culture) and Sabhyata (civilization) are nurtured by language, Hindi, as a language, too, plays a pivotal role in preserving and propagating our rich cultural heritage. He underscored the distinction between “Vidya” (knowledge) and “Avidya” (ignorance), asserting that education involves not only acquiring knowledge but also discerning what knowledge is essential. “We spent our childhood listening to the mesmerizing stories from our Indian scriptures. We need to ensure that we explore and cherish the wealth of knowledge contained in them even today”, he said. Encouraging the preservation of regional languages, he emphasized that the literature and wisdom contained in all our Indian languages are invaluable treasures of our heritage. “Just like our mother, Hindi, being our mother tongue, deserves our utmost respect and care, for it nurtures us and makes us who we are”, he said. He encouraged the audience to contribute to safeguarding not only Hindi but also all languages that enhance our cultural and civilizational heritage.
Prof. Anand Pradhan applauded the efforts of IIM Indore in promoting the Hindi language and its cultural significance. “It is heartening to see, how IIM Indore, under the leadership of Prof. Rai, is taking forward the legacy to preserving and promoting not just Hindi, but all the Indian languages”, he said. He commended the Institute for encouraging creativity and literary pursuits among its members. In his address, he highlighted the pivotal role of languages, especially Hindi, in shaping India’s diverse identity and fostering unity among its people. He acknowledged that India, with its multitude of languages, cultures, and regions, faced a unique challenge upon gaining independence in 1947. Many believed that the nation would not remain unified due to its multiple nations, diverse cultures, and numerous languages. However, Prof. Pradhan underscored, that there is an intrinsic quality within India that defies division. Prof. Pradhan highlighted the symbiotic relationship between languages, emphasizing that they learn from each other. He celebrated the role of vernacular languages, especially Marathi, in enriching Hindi. Our Hindi language is like a flowing river, and the new words from different languages are like fresh tributaries, enriching the language’s vocabulary, he said. He also stressed that Hindi, with its growing technical and managerial lexicon, is poised to thrive in the modern world, becoming richer and more vibrant. He emphasized that print journalism has been instrumental in bridging the geographical, cultural, and linguistic gaps across the nation. He concluded by asserting that India’s greatness lies in its unity, shared values, morals, culture, and a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism that transcends languages and boundaries.
The highlight of the celebration was the release of the Annual Hindi Magazine of the institute, “Gyaan Shikhar.” This magazine features insightful articles contributed by the members of the IIM Indore community. The Hindi Pakhwada at IIM Indore embraced the spirit of competition. The event featured two exciting competitions, “Picture Story Writing” and “Antakshari,” in which all members participated with immense enthusiasm. The winners of these competitions received their prizes, adding a competitive edge to the celebrations.
In addition to the festivities, the event also marked the conclusion of Swachhata Pakhwada, a cleanliness drive that was concurrently organized at the institute. The entire IIMI community joined hands to volunteer for a massive campus clean-up, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to cleanliness and hygiene.
The successful culmination of Hindi Diwas and the associated competitions, along with the dedication displayed during Swachhata Pakhwada, reflect IIM Indore’s commitment to both linguistic and environmental responsibilities.