By IANS,
New Delhi : With growing interest in India worldwide, Indian languages are also attracting global attention, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma said here Tuesday.
“Global interest is also increasing in Indian languages and their literature. In such a scenario Hindi holds a place of honour and everything possible should be done to facilitate its growth,” Sharma, also minister of state for external affairs, said while conferring Bhartendu Harishchandra Awards 2006.
“Hindi is the force that integrates the whole nation. The growth of one’s own language is important not only for the development, but also for the pride of the nation,” he said.
The awards, set up in 1983, promote original writings in Hindi in the field of journalism and mass communication.
“Bhartendu Harishchandra not only paved the foundation of modern Hindi but also provided the initial impetus to the growth of the language as we see it today,” Sharma said while praising the famous Hindi writer after whom the awards are named.
The minister also unveiled the 53rd edition of India 2009 and Bharat 2009, an updated edition of the reference manual that contains information on myriad facets of the country.
Shyam Mathur received the first prize in the Journalism and Mass Communication category for his manuscript “Film Patrakarita Ke Vividh Aayam”. Harshdev bagged the second prize for his book “Samayik Media Shabdkosh”.