Port Blair, Oct. 14: The prize distribution ceremony for various competitions organized as part of Hindi Pakhwada-2022 organized by the Official Language Department of A&N Administration was held at TGCE auditorium here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary said that Hindi acts as the link language for people of different linguistic background residing in A&N Islands. This shows that Hindi is a strong and predominant language, which has been widely acknowledged by the people of the Islands, the Chief Secretary remarked. He mentioned that Hindi was accepted as the Official Language by the Constituent Assembly of India on September 14, 1949. In the recent years, the Central Govt. is focusing on the development and propagation of Hindi and we must strive to work towards its propagation at all level.

Appreciating the large scale participation in the competitions organized during the observance of ‘Hindi Pakhwada’, the Chief Secretary stated that this shows the love and passion for the Hindi language and its propagation. He also congratulated the Official Language Department for successfully conducting the Hindi Pakhwada by organizing different competitions involving students and employees.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary distributed prizes to the winners of the various competitions held during the ‘Hindi Pakhwada’.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary (Home), Shri Sanjay Kumar Jha, IAS stated that during the Freedom Struggle of India, Hindi was used as link language and in A&N Islands also Hindi was used as the communicating language by the freedom fighters. Opining that the Islanders have accepted Hindi as a medium of communication, he said, Hindi is a scientific language which is written the way it is pronounced.

Earlier, the Secretary, Official Language, Shri Vishwendra welcomed the chief guest and others present on the occasion and also presented a report about the ‘Hindi Pakhwada-2022’ observed by the Department.

The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Assistant Secretary (OL), Shri Rajendra Indwar.