Hindi to dominate digital world: Modi

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Bhopal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for efforts towards a more vibrant use of Hindi, contending it would be among three languages to dominate the digital world.

At the inauguration of the World Hindi Conference here, Modi revealed that he had learnt Hindi in his childhood from UP traders while selling tea. He opined that more and more people were getting inclined to speak in Hindi.

"In the days to come, the significance of Hindi language will increase because language experts believe that by the end of the 21st century, out of 6,000 languages, 90 percent will lose their sheen. If we fail to understand this warning and fail to protect the language, then Hindi will only remain a matter of research," he said.

Modi stated that the digital field would bring massive changes to the world with everybody using social media like WhatsApp. "Experts believe that in this field, three languages – English, Chinese and Hindi – will dominate the digital field," Modi said, and added that it is the responsibility of tech experts to develop software to popularize Hindi and other Indian languages.

The three-day conference is being held at the Lal Parade Ground in Makhan Lal Chaturvedi Nagar here.

Modi spoke of the love for Hindi in countries he visited during his foreign trips. He also came to know of the efforts being made to popularize Hindi in those countries.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj remarked that this conference was focused on the progress of the Hindi language, while the previous ones were focused on Hindi literature.

She said the conference, first held in Nagpur in 1975, is being held in India after 32 years.

Stressing the need to preserve Hindi language, she stated that suggestions of experts attending the conference would be taken and a report compiled in the concluding session. The main recommendations should then, be acted upon.

Modi also released a postal stamp to mark the 10th World Hindi Day during the conference.

(With inputs from IANS)