Jammu Tawi: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu celebrated Hindi Pakhwada with fervor, highlighting the language's role in communication and administration on 17th Sept 2024 at Mandapam Auditorium. The event featured speeches from esteemed guests, cultural programs, and a special plantation drive as part of the ongoing Swachhata Pakhwada campaign. Dr. Sandhu Kapoor, Joint Director, JKSCERT, was the Chief Guest, Shri Manveer Singh was the Guest of Honor. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Chief Guest, Dr. Sandhu Kapoor, Joint Director, JKSCERT, Jammu, delivered an insightful address on “Punyashloka Lokmata Ahilya Devi Holkar,” highlighting her enduring legacy as a visionary and just ruler of the Malwa kingdom. She emphasized Ahilya Devi's significant contributions to social welfare, infrastructure development, and religious tolerance. Manveer Singh, Guest of Honor, addressed the audience on “Hindi as a Mother Tongue,” emphasizing its crucial role in bridging connections and uniting India's diverse linguistic landscape. Drawing inspiration from figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, he encouraged institutions such as IIM Jammu to actively promote Hindi alongside other languages, thereby preserving India's rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. In his address, Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, underscored the importance of Hindi, especially during Hindi Diwas on 14th September and Hindi Pakhwada. Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu shared personal anecdotes and highlighted Hindi writer Munshi Premchand's contributions and stressed on preserving and maximizing the use of Hindi in daily life. On this special occasion, a message from Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Minister of Education, Government of India, was also read out by Dr. Anuja Akhouri, Co-Chairperson, Hindi Rajbhasha, IIM Jammu and shared with everyone. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Abhay Kumar Awasthi, Hindi Rajbhasha Officer, IIM Jammu followed by the National Anthem. A plantation drive under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” was conducted at IIM Jammu's Jagti Campus.
