Union Home Minister Amit Shah today paid tribute to the pioneer of modern Hindi literature, Bharatendu Harishchandra, on his birth anniversary. In a social media post, Mr Shah said that Bharatendu Harishchandra infused novelty into emotion, language, and style, thereby giving Hindi its modern form.

The Minister added that in his works, one clearly sees the consciousness of social reform alongside devotion to God, advocacy for women’s education and inspiration for independence. Mr Shah said that Bharatendu Harishchandra regarded the mother tongue not merely as a medium of communication but as the foundation of national self-respect and awareness.