NEW YORK, Nov 22: The United Nations Director of News and Media, Ian Phillips, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to communicating with target audiences in Hindi, highlighting the language’s crucial role in global outreach. Whether addressing issues of peace, human rights, sustainable development, climate change, or gender, Phillips emphasized that Hindi will remain a key medium for the UN’s communications efforts.
Speaking at the Hindi Diwas celebration held on Friday, Phillips also announced plans to launch a dedicated WhatsApp channel in Hindi to further engage with millions of people globally. He recognized India’s significant role in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, with Hindi serving as an essential tool to bridge communication gaps.
The celebration was attended by a visiting delegation of Indian Members of Parliament, led by Birendra Prasad Baishya, as well as diplomats from various countries who shared their linguistic ties to India.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, emphasized the importance of Hindi in a country as linguistically, culturally, and ethnically diverse as India. He noted that Hindi has historically played an unprecedented role in uniting the country, particularly during the freedom struggle. Harish asserted that Hindi continues to bridge the gap between India’s diverse population.
Jagdish Koonjul, Mauritius’s Permanent Representative, highlighted the profound significance of Hindi in his multiracial, multicultural, and multilingual nation. Similarly, Varsha Sujata Ramratan, the Charge d’Affaires of Suriname, expressed her appreciation for Hindi, noting its widespread popularity and respect in her country.
