"मैं महाराष्ट्रीयन हू पर हिंदी के विषय में मु्झे उतना ही अभिमान है जितना कि किसी हिंदीभाषी को हो सकता है।" - Madhavrao Sapre
image credits :- poshmpa.org
Hindi Diwas is observed on 14 September every year to acknowledge the beauty and history of this language. Two years after attaining freedom, in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi written in Devnagri script as the Official Language of the Union on this day. There are two official languages of the country, Hindi and English. Today marks the day we took Hindi as our official language and hence celebrate the significance it has had on our lives.
Let’s take a deep dive into the history of Hindi literature that we cherish today. We’ll focus on one story and its writer, using today’s auspicious occasion, in his memory.
Many scholars believe “EK TOKRI BHAR MITTI” written by Madahvrao Sapre to be the first story, published and acknowledged in the Hindi language.The story has intense social sentiment and is written in a very simple way and brings out the emotions of readers and leaves a memory in our hearts. It marks the beginning of the vast Hindi literature that we enjoy today!!
In 1900, when there was no printing press in the state of Chhattisgarh, he brought out a monthly magazine called "Chhattisgarh Mitra" from Pendra, a small village in Bilaspur district. He started printing Marathi Kesari of Lokmanya Tilak as Hindi Kesari in the state.
He had presided over the 15th All India Literary Conference held in Dehradun and established the National Hindi Temple in Jabalpur, with the help of which important Hindi literature like ‘Tilak’ ,'Hitkarini', 'Shri Sharda' and publication of journals became possible. This published literature holds importance till date. Let’s remember him, his contribution and work, and retain him in our memory as a great storyteller, essayist, critic, translator, editor.
I’m taking this day to remember many other writers and poets as well for their contribution to Hindi language and literature. We’ve read works of Munshi Premchand, Ram Dhari Singh Dinkar, Agnipath of Harivansh Rai Bachchan and many prominent others. Let’s go back to our favorite Hindi poem, story, a book or pick up a new one, today and relish the beauty Hindi language beholds.
Author :- Ms. Abhiruchi Lakras,
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law, Main Branch,Nagpur