MEA wants all diplomats to master Hindi

The external affairs ministry is taking a few steps to promote Hindi. To begin with, a special module ‘use of Hindi in offices’ is being made a part of the training programme for officers posted abroad.

Diplomats have to brush up their Hindi, or pick up proficiency in the language, as government is putting in place measures to promote the official language in all Indian missions and posts.

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The external affairs ministry is taking a few steps to promote Hindi. To begin with, a special module ‘use of Hindi in offices’ is being made a part of the training programme for officers posted abroad.

With Modi government giving a definite push for the promotion of official language, all missions and posts will have Hindi software in their offices. Then all private secretaries and personal assistants should undergo compulsory Hindi language training before being posted abroad. The logic behind this particular step, sources said is to ensure the staffers who often act as the first line of communication between officers and commoners, who reach out to the mission, are well versed in the national language.

The stenographers are being trained in Hindi as well. Officials have already started making file noting “increasingly” in Hindi. And it has also become more common to have senior officials getting their visiting cards printed in Hindi too. There will be regular workshops on Hindi language.

“Promotion of official language remained a policy of Indian government for years now. But mostly it remained confined to celebration of Hindi diwas. But now there is a thrust on promoting Hindi in a more elaborate manner,” said an official.