Shanghai marks World Hindi Day with Chinese students and teachers

The Indian Consulate in Shanghai celebrated World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Divas) with active participation from Chinese teachers and students of Hindi from leading universities in eastern China, underscoring the growing global interest in the language.

Addressing the gathering on Saturday, Consul General of India in Shanghai Pratik Mathur highlighted Hindi’s role in connecting people beyond national boundaries. He also read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message , which said, “Hindi is not merely a language, but a powerful link that carries India’s sensitivity, values, and thought to the world,” according to a post shared by the Consulate on X.

This year’s World Hindi Day theme , “Hindi: From Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence,” reflects the language’s journey from a rich cultural heritage to its expanding relevance in modern technology and global communication.

World Hindi Day is observed annually on January 10 to commemorate the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur on January 10, 1975 , which marked a major step in taking Hindi to the international मंच. The Government of India formally designated the day in 2006 to promote Hindi globally and strengthen cultural diplomacy.

Students and faculty from Fudan University, Shanghai International Studies University, and East China Normal University shared creative works and perspectives on Hindi. The event also featured cultural performances, including presentations by children from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and a Bharatanatyam recital. Members of the Indian diaspora and the Shanghai-based diplomatic community were also present.