On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, celebrated across India on September 14, educationist and litterateur Prof. Ravinandan Singh engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the current status, future prospects, and challenges faced by the Hindi language in contemporary times. While addressing various forums, he highlighted that merely feeling proud on Hindi Diwas is not enough; rather, society must introspect on how deeply rooted Hindi has become in practical, everyday life and professional domains.
The Dominance of English in Administration and Judiciary
Despite being declared the official language (Rajbhasha) decades ago, Hindi still lags behind English in several critical sectors of governance and professional work. Prof. Singh noted that most major laws in the country are initially drafted in English, and the judicial system continues to operate predominantly in English. High-level executive work, administrative functioning, and higher education in science, commerce, and technology still rely heavily on English as the primary medium.
Challenges of Hindi in the Global Job Market
Discussing the role of language in career advancement, Prof. Singh pointed out that multinational corporations and the global corporate market continue to favor English. Campus placements and high-tech sectors generally prioritize candidates with strong English proficiency. However, in northern states, the scope of Hindi has expanded considerably in civil services and government job examinations, providing more opportunities for Hindi-medium aspirants.
Bridging the Gap Through Technology and Digital Growth
While formal higher education and technical fields present hurdles, digital media and cinema have emerged as powerful platforms for Hindi. Internet usage, social media engagement, and independent digital journalism in Hindi have empowered common citizens to express themselves freely and reach massive audiences globally, proving the linguistic strength of the masses.
