Shri R.K. Vishnoi, Chairman and Managing Director of THDC India Limited, expressed happiness as the corporation’s Corporate Office in Rishikesh received the Narakas Rajbhasha Vaijayanti (First Prize). He stated that this award reflects the corporation’s excellent execution of the Official Language Implementation. He urged the corporation’s officers and employees to continue their valuable contribution in this direction.
The 39th Half-Yearly Meeting of the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (Narakas), Haridwar, was held on January 29, 2025, at AIIMS Rishikesh. The meeting was chaired by Shri Shailendra Singh, Chairman of Narakas and Director (Personnel), THDC. A large number of heads/representatives of member institutions and Official Language Officers participated in the meeting. Notably, Narakas Haridwar is one of the largest Narakas in the country, with 67 member institutions, including central government institutions and offices from Roorkee, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and the hilly regions.
At the beginning of the event, Shri Shailendra Singh, Director (Personnel), THDC, Professor Jaya Chaturvedi, Dean of AIIMS Rishikesh, Shri Ranjan Kumar, General Manager, BHEL, and Dr. A.N. Tripathi, General Manager (HR), THDCIL, were warmly welcomed as distinguished guests. The program commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by students’ recital of Saraswati Vandana and the national song, Vande Mataram. The audience applauded enthusiastically, encouraging the students.
Awards Under Narakas Rajbhasha Vaijayanti Scheme
Under the Narakas Rajbhasha Vaijayanti Scheme, member institutions were awarded Rajbhasha Shields in different categories:
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs):
- First Prize: THDC India Limited
- Second Prize: BHEL, Haridwar
- Third Prize: Bharat Petroleum Marketing Division, Landaura
- Encouragement Awards: Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Roorkee Terminal & Power Grid Corporation Ltd., Roorkee
- Government Offices/Boards/Autonomous Bodies:
- First Prize: CSIR – Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee
- Second Prize: National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
- Third Prize: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee
- Encouragement Awards: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Roshanabad
- Nationalized Banks & Insurance Companies:
- First Prize: Punjab National Bank, Zonal Office, Haridwar
- Second Prize: Bank of India, Haridwar Branch
- Third Prize: Bank of Baroda, Haridwar Branch
- Encouragement Awards: Indian Overseas Bank, Haridwar Branch & Union Bank, Haridwar Branch
During the award distribution ceremony, Shri Shailendra Singh presented the shields to the winning institutions. Additionally, winners of various competitions held over the six-month period were also awarded.
Discussions & Key Takeaways
Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Narakas Haridwar, provided updates on the activities conducted by Narakas Haridwar and the latest developments related to the Official Language Hindi. The semi-annual reports on Hindi progress were reviewed, followed by an interactive session where member institution heads and representatives shared valuable suggestions.
Chairman’s Address & Call to Action
In his address, Shri Shailendra Singh, Chairman, Narakas, extended New Year and Republic Day greetings to all member institutions and thanked AIIMS Rishikesh for hosting the meeting. He urged all member offices to adopt innovative and creative measures to promote the use of Hindi.
He emphasized:
- Ensuring senior officials’ participation in every meeting
- Holding quarterly Official Language Implementation Committee meetings at the institutional level
- Encouraging more Hindi workshops for employees
- Recognizing & rewarding employees for working in Hindi
- Strengthening Hindi as an effective and powerful language in all offices
He concluded by thanking all institution heads, representatives, and Official Language Officers for their participation and congratulating the winning institutions and competition winners.
Recognition for THDC’s Hindi Section
Chairman Shri Shailendra Singh praised THDC India Limited’s Hindi Section for successfully ensuring Official Language Implementation across the corporation and efficiently managing Narakas Haridwar for the past 8 years.
With 67 member institutions, Narakas Haridwar is one of the largest Narakas in the country. Despite the Rajbhasha Department setting a limit of 35 member institutions for Narakas committees, Narakas Haridwar has been operating successfully with almost double that number. He acknowledged the challenges of compiling language-related data, reviewing reports, and coordinating with member offices but commended THDC’s Hindi Section, led by Shri Pankaj Sharma, Deputy Manager (Rajbhasha) & Secretary, Narakas Haridwar, for their dedicated efforts in executing this work efficiently.
