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हिन्दी हमारी राष्ट्र भाषा - Hindi: Indian National Language

Hindi is the Indian National Language. This is one statement that has been mistaken to the core. I often get to witness the stupid fight between North Indians and South Indians on this statement.

Here is my effort to clarify a few things on this on this topic.
III std Social Science text book of CBSE syllabus clearly states that there are 16 Indian National languages. yeah that's correct its 16 not just Hindi. As per our constitution, there are 2 major criterias for the language to be declared as Indian National language:
1. It should be a spoken language in our country as mother tongue.
2. It should have its own लिपि (scribal)

Strictly speaking Hindi does not satisfy the above 2. The Devanagari lipi of Hindi belongs to Sanskrit. But there is a reason why this language is an exception.

This language is not just the National language but also the OFFICIAL language of our country. Which means, if you have to make an official communication, anywhere in India, apart from English and the local language of that state, you are authorized to communicate it in Hindi. Egs: Submit an application/ resignation/ leave letter. Legally, such submissions cannot be rejected. You will find all the Govt official forms printed in English, sometimes in the local language and as well as in Hindi. 
Our constitution has been translated to all the local languages/ National languages but they are considered as translations and copies. Only the English and the Hindi versions are held with the highest regard as Indian Constitutions.

Our constitution also says, we are a democratic country. With due respect to this statement, in my opinion, it is illegal to force anyone to speak or learn Hindi. Respecting the local language is a must and you cannot establish the importance of the official language of our country, until and unless you hold the local language with the respect and high regard. Over powering a linguistic tradition of a state is the most unprofessional approach to spread the acquaintance about Hindi.  

Having said that, I totally support the concept of having one common official language across the country. Have you visited other countries where they don't speak English? Do you feel like an alien? Do you feel like a foreigner in the true sense? How many of us experience this discomfort when we travel a few kms from a our state and visit a neighboring state? How many of us feel like a foreigner in metropolitan cities like Bangalore or Chennai when we are here to earn our living? Its ironical that we feel like a foreigner in our own country. Its a big hit on the integrity of our country just because we have a gap in communication even though we share a common and rich cultural background.

Its peak of bull headed stupidity to fight over our local language to be declared as the official language. Hindi is the most apt language for this. Consider the below points with an open mind:

> Hindi uses Devanagari lipi, which is widely familiar in the country, since Sanskrit is the sacred language across the Nation. Most people from North to South, are aware of the scribal and can there by read Hindi with least difficulty.

>Hindi is the language which has emerged with the contribution of almost all the major languages of the country, which makes it easy to understand and learn.

> Most of the North Indian states of the nation are already familiar the language and therefore its only the South Indians who need to put in a little bit of effort to learn this beautiful yet very simple language.

Some of we South Indians  who know Hindi reasonably have traveled to North Indian states, and yet feel belonged. For the integrity of the country, to have the mutual acceptance in our neighboring states, to feel at home in our own country, its essential to have a Hindi as our official language and make a clean effort to learn it. Does this make sense why Hindi has to be the official language? Is this a more convincing approach to bring better acquaintance of this language rather than forcing people to adapt to the language?

I hope .....:)