Launches DoPT’s ‘Kaushal Patrika’; stresses simple, accessible Hindi in official communication and greater linguistic inclusivity
New Delhi : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and MoS in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has called for promoting Hindi by creating greater opportunities and a stake in the language, rather than making its use appear imposed.
Addressing the third meeting of the Hindi Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said wider use of Hindi would follow naturally when knowledge of the language creates opportunities for employment, professional growth and wider participation. The Kaushal Patrika of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) was also launched during the meeting.
The Minister said the suggestions put forward by members of the Hindi Advisory Committee had been noted and that the Department would make serious efforts towards their implementation. Suggestions falling outside the Department’s jurisdiction, he added, would be forwarded to the concerned Ministries and Departments for examination at the appropriate level.
Language options can improve accessibility
Referring to a suggestion concerning language options in competitions conducted by the Ministry of Skill Development, Dr. Jitendra Singh said providing such options could make these initiatives more accessible to beneficiaries from smaller towns, cities and rural areas.
He suggested that appropriate language options, including suitable oral components wherever required, could further improve accessibility and said the proposal could be conveyed to the Ministry concerned.
The Minister also referred to a suggestion to involve members of the Hindi Advisory Committee in programmes for teaching Hindi in schools. He said such proposals could be taken up with the Ministry of Education, particularly when they involve teachers and educational institutions, as the Personnel Department alone may not be in a position to undertake such activities.
Hindi use must respect India’s linguistic diversity
Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed that although a substantial amount of work in the Department is already conducted in Hindi, insisting on 100 per cent use of Hindi in every situation may not always be practical, particularly in official communication with non-Hindi-speaking States.
He said the sensitivities, convenience and linguistic circumstances of people and officials in different regions must be kept in mind, underlining the need to promote Hindi while respecting India’s linguistic diversity.
The Minister also called for making official Hindi simple, natural and accessible. Government communication, he said, should avoid unnecessarily difficult or excessively formal language and should be easy to understand in everyday communication rather than appearing to be a literal translation from English.
Greater use of Hindi seen over the past decade
Dr. Jitendra Singh said there had been a significant change in the use of Hindi over the past 10–12 years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, including increased use of Hindi by officers from southern parts of the country.
He cited examples of officers and personnel working in scientific and technical establishments who have been using Hindi extensively in their official work despite being posted in predominantly non-Hindi-speaking regions.
He also highlighted improvements in the quality of government translation, noting that instances of incorrect and sometimes misleading translations, which occurred earlier, have reduced considerably.
According to the Minister, advances in technology and AI-driven systems, coupled with access to larger datasets, are contributing to improvements in translation, including in technically sensitive areas.
Hindi promotion should not come at the cost of knowledge
At the same time, Dr. Jitendra Singh cautioned against viewing Hindi usage separately from the broader requirement of knowledge and professional competence.
He said insisting exclusively on Hindi in specialised fields, particularly where adequate technical literature and terminology may not be readily available, should not become a barrier to acquiring knowledge.
Referring to efforts to introduce Hindi in medical education, he said original technical terms could continue to be retained wherever necessary, while explanations and teaching could be provided in Hindi.
Creating a ‘stake’ in Hindi more effective than imposing it
Reiterating his central point, Dr. Jitendra Singh said creating a stake in a language is more effective for its promotion than merely imposing its use.
He said that as Hindi becomes increasingly useful for employment and professional opportunities, people would have a natural incentive to learn and use the language. He also pointed to the growing demand for Hindi learning in regions where the language was traditionally less prevalent, linking this interest to emerging employment opportunities.
The Minister described the Hindi Advisory Committee as an important platform for providing informed suggestions and guidance to the Department. He invited members to continue sharing their ideas and suggestions in writing or through other appropriate channels and assured that the Department would work towards improvements based on their guidance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the larger objective should be to promote Hindi in a simple, natural and inclusive manner, without creating a sense of imposition. The ultimate aim, he said, should be to expand the use and reach of Hindi while keeping it aligned with India’s linguistic diversity and the practical needs of everyday communication.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for members of the Hindi Advisory Committee to place their suggestions before the Department on various matters concerning the promotion and wider use of Hindi in official work.