Now, speeches by President, PM and all other ministers may only be in Hindi

A parliamentary committee's recommendations in this regard have been accepted by the President

Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi addresses during the dedication ceremony of a Four-Lane Extradosed Bridge over the Narmada in Bharuch
BS Web Team New Delhi
Last Updated : Apr 18 2017 | 11:13 AM IST
The President of India and all central and state ministers who know the language might soon have to deliver their speeches only in Hindi if a parliamentary panel's recommendations, which have been accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee, are implemented, reported the Times of India on Tuesday. 

According to the report, the move is ostensibly meant to promote the Hindi language.

The President, according to the report, has accepted some recommendations given by the committee of Parliament on official languages. The recommendations state that all dignitaries, including the President, and all ministers, who can read and speak Hindi, are to be requested to give their speeches or statements only in Hindi. Their speeches and announcements would be accompanied by an English translation. 

However, these recommendations are not new, they were made back in 2011 by a committee headed by then Union Minister P Chidambaram.

The other recommendation which has been accepted by the President is that Air India, the national carrier, should use Hindi on its tickets. The recommendation was aimed at all Indian airlines but the President restricted his approval only to Air India. Furthermore, Air India will also have to include Hindi newspapers and magazines in its in-flight reading list.

One subscription. Two world-class reads.

Already subscribed? Log in

Subscribe to read the full story →
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

Next Story