Hindi is friend of all Indian languages: Amit Shah

Surat, Sep 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday stressed on the importance of Hindi by saying that the language is our official language and added that it must be given importance.

"Hindi is not rival to other Indian languages, rather it's their 'sakhi' (friend)"," Shah said.

"As the country celebrates Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Hindi language should get equal importance. Hindi unites the Nation," said the union minister in his address to the nation on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.

"Under the leadership of PM Modi, efforts are underway to promote our official language Hindi," Shah added.

This is the first time that this annual program is being organized outside Delhi on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.

Hindi Divas is observed all over the country on September 14. It was on this day in 1949 when the Constitution-makers of the country decided to accord the status of Official Language of the Union to Hindi.

Hindi is spoken by over 400 million people as a first language while 120 million use Hindi as a second language.