GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): The Embassy of India in Guatemala celebrated World Hindi Diwas 2025 on 18 January 2025 by organizing a series of vibrant Hindi competitions, which garnered an overwhelming response from participants. The event saw enthusiastic participation from not only members of the Indian community but also local Guatemalans and friends of India, showcasing the growing appreciation for the Hindi language and culture.
World Hindi Day is celebrated annually on January 10th to mark the recognition of Hindi as one of the official languages of India by the Indian government. The day is celebrated to promote the significance of Hindi, a language spoken by millions of people worldwide, and to spread awareness about its cultural and historical importance. It was first observed in 2006, and since then, it has become an occasion to celebrate the rich heritage of Hindi literature, arts, and traditions. Hindi holds a crucial place not only in India but also on the global stage, as it is one of the most spoken languages worldwide, with a vast diaspora of Hindi speakers across the globe. Its impact is far-reaching, contributing to global conversations in fields such as literature, entertainment, politics, and education. The promotion of Hindi on World Hindi Day aims to increase its visibility, strengthen ties among Hindi-speaking communities, and encourage more people to learn and appreciate the language.
The Embassy has been instrumental in propagating and promoting Hindi through a variety of initiatives and events throughout the year in Central American region. By organizing numerous Hindi-related activities, such as competitions, workshops, and cultural programs, the embassy has fostered a deeper appreciation for the language among local communities, Indian diaspora, and friends of India. Each year, these events have witnessed a remarkable increase in participation, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for Hindi in the region. Additionally, the embassy encourages its staff to incorporate Hindi into their official communications, further enhancing the language’s visibility and relevance in diplomatic work.
This year, the World Hindi Diwas was celebrated with a series of engaging competitions, including essay writing, poem recitals, and Sulekh (Hindi writing). To adjust with relocation of Embassy chancery to a new building during 10th January, the earmarked to celebrate Hindi Day, the celebrations were postponed to 18th January. The embassy hosted the Poem Recital and Sulekh competition, requiring participants to present their works in person at the chancery. For those unable to attend in person, an opportunity was provided to submit their essays via email, allowing participants from El Salvador and Honduras to join in the festivities.
Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their enthusiastic involvement in the World Hindi Diwas celebrations. He acknowledged that the overwhelming response from the Indian community, local Guatemalans, and friends of India significantly contributed to the success of the event, enabling the embassy to expand its efforts on such a large scale. In his address, the Ambassador highlighted how the collective enthusiasm and passion for Hindi had made this journey not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. Ambassador Mohapatra reassured the audience of the Government of India’s unwavering support and commitment to promoting Hindi both domestically and internationally. He spoke about various initiatives and programs that the Indian government has undertaken to propagate the language and strengthen cultural ties with countries across the globe. A message on World Hindi Day from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was also read during the event.
The Embassy of India in Guatemala is firmly committed to promoting Hindi and celebrating its rich cultural heritage. It has successfully fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of the language by engaging with local Guatemalans and diverse communities through various initiatives, events, and competitions. Additionally, the embassy has effectively encouraged the Indian diaspora to embrace Hindi, instilling a sense of pride in the language through direct engagement. Looking ahead, the embassy will continue to organize more events and programs designed to inspire future generations to explore and cherish Hindi, ensuring that it remains a vibrant component of our shared identity and cultural dialogue.
(Based on a press release issued by Ramesh Khulbey)