(a) whether the Tenth World Hindi Conference was organised in Bhopal city of Madhya Pradesh recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of countries who participated in the said conference;
(c) whether all the member countries emphasized on making Hindi an Official Language of the United Nations Organization (UNO); and
(d) if so, the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) Yes, the Tenth World Hindi Conference was organized in Bhopal City of Madhya Pradesh on 10-12 September, 2015. Delegates from 39 foreign countries in addition to delegates from India participated in the Tenth World Hindi Conference.
(c) Yes, delegates participating in the conference emphasized on making Hindi an Official Language of the United Nations.
(d) The Government has been actively taking necessary measures for the introduction of Hindi as one of the Official Languages of the UN. A High level Committee under the Chairmanship of the External Affairs Minister was constituted on 26 February, 2003 followed by a sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister of State for External Affairs in August, 2003 to look into the matter and take necessary measures. Keeping in view this objective, the 8th World Hindi Conference was organized in New York on 13 July 2007 and its inaugural session was held at the UN Headquarters, which was attended by the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon. In addition, a World Hindi Secretariat has been set up in Mauritius since 11 February 2008 to promote Hindi as an international language. On several occasions, Indian leaders have delivered statements at the UN in Hindi. On 27 September 2014, Prime Minister addressed the 69th UN General Assembly Session at New York in Hindi. He also addressed the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit at New York in Hindi on 25 September, 2015. On 01 October 2015, External Affairs Minister delivered her statement at the General Debate of the 70th UN General Assembly Session at New York in Hindi. Necessary arrangements were made for simultaneous interpretation of these statements in English by the Permanent Mission of India in New York. The Government of India''s sustained efforts have also ensured that the United Nations also offers its programmes on the UN Radio Website in Hindi. The Government continues to work steadfastly in popularizing Hindi and for the objective of Hindi being designated as a UN language.”