Author:
Pubilcation: The Hindu
Date: September 14,
2000
Vice-President Krishan
Kant today propagated taking Hindi to heights where it attained acceptance
all over the country and said use of the language was a national need.
Delivering his speech
in Hindi after giving away the Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Awards for 1999-2000,
he said efforts would be made to carry out the Government's official work
in Hindi but said the entire society should work to bring the language
national acceptance.
The awards are given
to various Ministries, departments, banks, financial institutions and public
sector undertakings of the Government for outstanding achievements in implementation
of the official language policy.
Union Home Minister L
K Advani suggested that September 14 should be observed as "Bharatiya Bhasha
Diwas" instead of "Hindi Diwas" and said all Indian languages should be
given respect and importance.
Giving the example of
Israel, he said a small country like that had become an important nation
because of two reasons -- patriotism and national language.