UN commits to expanding communication in Hindi, plans WhatsApp channel
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United Nations: The United Nations (UN) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing communication with Hindi-speaking audiences, with plans to launch a dedicated WhatsApp channel in the language.
Speaking at the Hindi Diwas celebration on Friday, Ian Phillips, Director of News and Media at the UN, expressed the organization’s dedication to using Hindi to promote its priorities on key issues such as peace, human rights, sustainable development, climate change, and gender equality. He emphasized that in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, India’s role on the global stage makes Hindi an important tool for reaching millions and engaging the next generation of leaders.
The celebration was attended by a visiting delegation of Indian Members of Parliament, led by Birendra Prasad Baishya, as well as diplomats from various countries who spoke about their cultural and linguistic ties to India.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, highlighted the unifying role of Hindi in India’s diverse society, stating that the language bridges cultural and social gaps across the country’s various ethnic groups. He pointed out that during India's freedom struggle, Hindi served as a vital tool for uniting the nation and carrying forward the spirit of independence.
Harish also noted that Hindi, now the third most spoken language globally after English and Mandarin, has expanded beyond India due to the influence of the Indian diaspora and the global popularity of Bollywood and classical literature.
Diplomats from Mauritius, Nepal, Guyana, and Suriname also spoke of the significant cultural impact of Hindi in their countries. Mauritius’ Permanent Representative, Jagdish Koonjul, highlighted the deep connection to Hindi among the descendants of indentured laborers who brought the language with them. In Nepal, the shared linguistic roots of Hindi and Nepali were recognized, while Guyana's Deputy Permanent Representative, Trishala Simantini Persaud, discussed how Hindi words have been incorporated into Guyanese Creole.
In Suriname, Hindi is widely spoken alongside Surinaams, especially in religious and cultural practices, according to the Charge d'Affaires, Varsha Sujata Ramratan. The event also featured Hindi language competitions organized by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, where winners of essay-writing, poetry recitals, and speech contests were awarded prizes.
With IANS inputs