On attainment of freedon in 1947, it was natural that the Indian Government sought an alternative to English as the Official Language and as a medium for education. It was essential to ahve a link language to establish emotional integration within the nation. After deep consideration, both within and outide the Constituent Assembly, on 14th September, 1949 it was agreed, among other items, to adopt Hindi in the Devanagari script as the Official Language of the Union. Accordingly on 26th January, 1950, when the Indian Constitution came into force, provision was made for this under Article 343 (i). Thus today India celebrates Hindi Day on 14th September.

It was provided under Article 345 that the States within the Union may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as their Official Language. The Official Language Act 1963 was passed to protect the sentiments and interests of the non-Hindi speaking States and their residents, accordingly these States will continue to correspond with the Centre in English till Hindi is adopted by a State for the purpose. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab have adopted Hindi as Language for correspondence with the Centre under these provisions. Central Government offices will continue to cerespond with non-Hindi speaking States and their residents in English as before. The interests of Non-Hindi speaking candidates have also been fully protected in the matter of recruitment to srvices under the Centre. The Constitution has entrusted the Centre with the task of development of the Hindi Language.

The Government of India has been making constant efforts to achieve this so as to ensure that the language becomes a medium for expressing all elements of the composite culture of our country. Consequently Hindi has been adopting and assimilating forms, styles and expressions from the regional languages as also from Sanskrit, to mould itself into a truly national language. Mechanical facilities play an important role in promoting the spread and development of language. The facility for use of Hindi in computres and other modern equipment is also being gradually increased.

The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a postage stamp in honour of Hindi Day with the hope that Hindi will continue to fulfil its historic role as the Oficial Language of the Union and as the link language of our large country. In co-operation with other regional languages of the country.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India