The Discipline of Hindi, Padmanath Gohain Baruah School of Humanities, Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU), organised a special programme on 15 September 2025 at the University’s City Campus, Khanapara, to commemorate Hindi Diwas. The event highlighted the significance of Hindi as one of India’s official languages and as a cultural thread that unites the nation.
The programme began with a warm welcome by Dr. Tinku Chetri, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a soulful performance of Deep Vandana by Mr. Pinku Kalita. Dr. Chetri then introduced the event and invited dignitaries to the stage for the felicitation ceremony, where the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rajendra Prasad Das, honoured the keynote speaker, Dr. Kusum Kunj Malakar, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Hindi, Cotton University. On this occasion, the University also felicitated its leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Director of the Padmanath Gohain Baruah School of Humanities, in recognition of their invaluable contributions.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Prasenjit Das, Director of the School, underscored that the celebration of Hindi goes beyond honouring a linguistic tradition, serving instead as an acknowledgment of Hindi’s role in fostering unity within India’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
The highlight of the programme was the keynote lecture by Dr. Kusum Kunj Malakar on the theme “Purbottar Bharat Mein Hindi ki Sthiti aur Chunautiyan.” She traced the historical journey of Hindi in India and Northeast India, noting contributions of eminent figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Kesar Dev Sharma, Shri Kedarmal Brahmin, Jagdishji Sanganeria, and others. She also reflected on Hindi’s spread in Assam through education, literature, and social exchange, citing contributions by Bhuban Chandra Gohain and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi.
Dr. Malakar stressed that while India cannot have a single national language due to its multilingual fabric, the recognition of Hindi as an official language through Hindi Diwas reaffirms its importance. She emphasised that languages thrive through usage while also respecting mother tongues, quoting Swami Vivekananda to highlight the equal respect for all languages. Noting the increasing role of Assamese scholars in Hindi teaching, she encouraged pride in Hindi alongside mother tongues and English, seeing them as complementary forces of cultural enrichment.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajendra Prasad Das expressed gratitude to Dr. Malakar for her insightful address. He highlighted Hindi as a language of unity, particularly popular among the younger generation, and proudly noted that KKHSOU’s newly introduced MA in Hindi programme, recognised by the UGC, has already attracted over 200 students.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Registrar, acknowledging the contributions of dignitaries, faculty, scholars, and students. Following the formal proceedings, the celebration continued with cultural performances by faculty members, research scholars, and students, transforming the event into a vibrant expression of linguistic and cultural appreciation.
Through this event, KKHSOU reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of Hindi, positioning it not merely as an academic subject but as a dynamic cultural force that strengthens national integration while celebrating India’s linguistic plurality.
