‘Aatmanirbharta’ chosen Hindi Word of 2020 by Oxford languages

New Delhi: Oxford Languages has named ‘Aatmanirbharta’, meaning self-reliance, as its Hindi Word of the Year 2020 for validating the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived the perils of a pandemic. 

The word was chosen by an advisory panel of language experts Kritika Agrawal, Poonam Nigam Sahay and Imogen Foxell.

The Oxford Hindi word of the year is a word or expression selected to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.

Oxford Languages said in their statement that as PM Modi announced India’s Covid-19 recovery package in the wake of the pandemic, he emphasised on the need to become self-reliant as a country, as an economy, as a society and as individuals, so as to navigate the perils of the novel coronavirus crisis.

Since PM’s address the usage of this specific word has increased tremendously, highlighting its increased prominence as a phrase and concept in the public lexicon of India, the statement said.

“In an unprecedented year, aatmanirbharta found resonance with a wide cross-section of people as it is seen to be an answer to the revival of a Covid-impacted economy,” Sivaramarkrishnan Venkateswaran, Oxford University Press India managing director, said.

This word “gives a voice to the strength displayed by young and old alike in dealing with extended periods of isolation, lack of familial support, loss of livelihoods and other difficulties through sheer determination and self-reliance”, Kritika Agrawal said.

Previous Hindi words of the year are Aadhar (2017), Nari Shakti (2018) and Samvidhaan (2019). (UNI)