Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 8: The use of Hindi in day-to-day official work should be further encouraged, particularly as the language has developed a distinct character in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Secretary (Personnel, Revenue, Administrative Reforms & Training) Satnam Singh said on Wednesday.
Singh was addressing the valedictory ceremony of Hindi Fortnight 2026 at the Conference Hall of Akashvani, Sri Vijaya Puram, where officers and staff of Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendra took part. He said communication in Hindi can often be more formal and natural than in English, allowing people to express their thoughts and feelings more freely and comfortably.
The ceremony was held at 11 am and was attended by Rajeshwar Lal, Assistant Secretary (General Administration), Andaman & Nicobar Administration, as Guest of Honour, and Mumtaz Bano, retired Programme Executive, Akashvani, Sri Vijaya Puram, as Special Guest.
C. Subba Rao, Deputy Director General (Engineer), Cluster Head and Head of Office, presided over the programme along with Deepak Chandra Tewari, Assistant Director (Official Language)/Drawing and Disbursing Officer.
Tewari presented a report on the fortnight, detailing the activities and competitions conducted during Hindi Fortnight 2026 and the participation of officers and staff. The programme also featured self-composed Hindi poems by Programme Executive Jaisheela J Lakra, titled “Ab Nahi Toh Kab”, and Sayed Arshul Rahaman, titled “Deeware Nahi Rishte Hai”.
Winners of various competitions conducted during the fortnight received prizes and certificates of merit from the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and Special Guest.
Mumtaz Bano shared her experiences and appreciated the efforts undertaken to promote Hindi and organise the fortnight and its concluding ceremony.
Subba Rao, in his address, called for greater importance to be given to Hindi in the workplace. He said the language has a role in strengthening bonds of unity across the country and urged officers and employees to increase its use in official functioning.
The event was anchored by Pooja Singh and concluded with a vote of thanks by Tewari.
Other officials present included D. Narasimha, Deputy Director (Engineer); Meena Prakash, Assistant Director (Programme)/Head of Programme; Sanam, Assistant Director (Programme)/Head of Programme; and S. R. Bhaskar, Assistant Director (E).
The ceremony reaffirmed Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendra, Sri Vijaya Puram’s commitment to the progressive use, promotion and propagation of Hindi in official work.
