HINDI DIVISION

The Hindi Section in the Office of the Registrar General of India functions in accordance with the provisions of Articles 343 to 351 of the Constitution and works towards fulfilling the constitutional requirements. For this purpose, in accordance with the Official Languages Act and Rules, it supervises the implementation of the Official Language Policy of the Union at the Headquarters, various Directorate of Census Operations functioning under it, and the Language Division at Kolkata. It also provides necessary guidance, as and when required. All documents covered under Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, including resolutions, general orders, notifications, administrative and other reports, press releases, reports to be laid before either House or both Houses of Parliament, official papers, contracts, agreements, licences, tender notices and tender forms, etc., are issued bilingually.

In accordance with the targets for original correspondence prescribed in the Annual Programme of the Department of Official Language, the Office undertakes correspondence with all Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, their attached and subordinate offices, and corporations, undertakings, banks, etc., owned or controlled by the Central Government. As per Rule 5 of the Official Languages Rules, the Office replies in Hindi to letters received in Hindi. The Office of the Registrar General of India makes efforts to ensure that notings on files are made in Hindi in accordance with the prescribed targets. Training programmes in Hindi language, Hindi typing and Hindi stenography are also conducted as per the prescribed targets.

The Office of the Registrar General of India provides facilities for working in Hindi on computers through Unicode by downloading and installing Hindi software. Important information and circulars of the Office can be accessed through its website. Information boards, hoardings, etc., are prepared in Hindi and English in accordance with the prescribed rules.

In accordance with the directions of the Department of Official Language, meetings of the Official Language Implementation Committee are held at regular intervals every year in the Office of the Registrar General of India. The targets prescribed in the Annual Programme issued by the Department of Official Language are discussed in detail during these meetings, and decisions are taken accordingly. Continuous efforts are made to promote the use of Hindi as the Official Language in the Office. Information regarding the implementation of decisions taken in the meetings is obtained through reports, and the reports submitted by each Division/Section are reviewed in detail at every meeting.

In accordance with the prescribed targets, the Assistant Director (R.B.) inspects various Directorates of Census Operations functioning under the Office of the Registrar General of India to assess the status of implementation of Hindi in these offices. In addition, the Sections at the Headquarters are also inspected, and efforts are made to rectify the deficiencies identified during such inspections. To achieve the prescribed targets, Hindi workshops are organised at the Headquarters and all Directorates of Census Operations, wherein officers and employees are provided guidance and practical training in Hindi noting and drafting, preparation of drafts and other official work in Hindi. The Committee of Parliament on Official Language also inspects various Ministries/Departments/Offices of the Government of India to assess the status of progressive use of Hindi and makes suggestions on relevant matters, besides obtaining assurances wherever necessary.

To ensure the continued use of Hindi as the Official Language at the Headquarters, Hindi Pakhwada is organised every year during the period from 14 September to 28 September. Various competitions are organised during the Pakhwada, including Hindi Essay Writing, Hindi Spelling Correction (exclusively for Multi-Tasking Staff), Hindi Noting and Drafting, Hindi Debate and Hindi Quiz competitions. A prize distribution ceremony is also organised to felicitate the winners of all the above competitions.

The officers and employees of the Office of the Registrar General of India are encouraged to perform their official work originally in Hindi through incentive schemes and Hindi workshops. Thus, through sustained efforts, the Hindi Section of the Office of the Registrar General of India is playing a significant role in the implementation of the Official Language Policy. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India personally undertake special initiatives from time to time to promote the implementation of the Official Language Policy. Inspired by these initiatives, other officers and employees are also showing greater interest in this direction. Compared to previous years, the use of Hindi as the Official Language is steadily increasing, and it is hoped that, in the near future, the Office of the Registrar General of India will achieve all the targets prescribed by the Department of Official Language for the implementation of Hindi. Through the continuous efforts of the Office, work is being carried out in accordance with the constitutional objectives for the promotion of Hindi. In the coming years, efforts will continue to fulfil the vision of the framers of the Constitution, who accorded Hindi the status of the Official Language.