Washington, USA: Vishwa Hindi Diwas, celebrated annually on January 10, commemorates the inaugural World Hindi Conference of 1975, dedicated to advancing Hindi as a global language and showcasing its cultural importance.

To honor this occasion in 2025, the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the International Hindi Association (IHA), has unveiled a Hindi speech competition. This initiative seeks to inspire high school students in the United States to embrace the Hindi language while fostering a deeper connection to Indian culture and traditions.

Open to students from grades 9 to 12, including those who are homeschooled, the competition features two segments: essay writing and short storytelling. Essay topics include “Indian Culture and Traditions” and “Why Should Young People in America Learn Hindi?” For the short storytelling segment, participants are encouraged to share personal anecdotes, memoirs, or meaningful experiences.

Dr. Shail Jain, a representative of the IHA, emphasized the significance of the event, saying, "This program aims to help young Indians abroad connect with Hindi, not just as a language but as a symbol of cultural pride and heritage."

Students must register by January 3, 2025, and submit their entries in video format (MP4) by January 8, 2025. Each video should not exceed three minutes in length. Winners will be announced on January 10, 2025, during the Vishwa Hindi Diwas celebration at the Indian Embassy. The winning submissions will also be published in the IHA’s quarterly journal, Vishwa.

Founded in 1980, the International Hindi Association has long been dedicated to promoting Hindi literature and language in the U.S., emphasizing its vital role in preserving Indian heritage and identity.