On October 9, 2025, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations hosted a vibrant Hindi Divas celebration at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The gathering highlighted how Hindi has gained recognition internationally, thanks largely to cultural exchange, cinema, and global outreach.
During the event, diplomats from countries including Nepal, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Andorra, Micronesia, Burundi, and Trinidad & Tobago joined India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, and Member of Parliament P. P. Chaudhary. Also present was Nanette Braun, Chief of the UN Communications Campaigns Service.
Speakers underscored the pivotal role Bollywood and India’s diaspora have played in expanding Hindi’s reach. Ambassador Harish remarked that Hindi now transcends national boundaries, becoming a cultural emblem of India worldwide. MP Chaudhary echoed this, noting that many across the globe dance to Hindi music without necessarily understanding the lyrics—a testament to the language’s magnetic appeal.
Diplomats from other nations shared their own connections to Hindi. Andorra’s delegate admitted to enjoying Bollywood songs despite not speaking Hindi, while representatives from Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname described how Hindi films, TV, and music continue to influence their communities.
The celebration also emphasized Hindi’s expanding presence on digital platforms. Chaudhary highlighted Hindi’s growing traction on social media, its role in global education, and its influence through yoga and international communication. The “Hindi at UN” initiative—launched in 2018 and recently extended for another five years—was cited as a key instrument in promoting Hindi via newsletters, social media, and a dedicated UN Hindi news site. Braun reported that within the last year, the project’s social media content garnered over 3.7 million views, with about 137,000 followers, and the Hindi news portal saw some 346,000 visits.
Education also emerged as a core avenue through which Hindi is spreading globally. Chaudhary noted that institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Cornell, Chicago, Texas, and Stockholm now offer courses in Hindi. Meanwhile, countries such as Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Nepal maintain Hindi instruction at school and university levels, preserving linguistic ties with India.
Nepal’s Permanent Representative Lok Bahadur Thapa observed that Hindi ranks among the top 20 languages in Nepal, with many using it as a secondary language. Representatives from Burundi, Andorra, and other nations reflected on how Hindi helps sustain cultural identities and deepen international dialogue.
The event concluded with awarding winners of Hindi essay, poetry, and recitation contests organized by India’s UN mission.
