Hindi is the Lingua Franca of India; though this vast country speaks a staggering number of languages and has more than a dozen languages on its official languages list, Hindi is without doubt the most widespread language, acting as a connecting thread between the diverse cultures that exist within the country.
India has become a major software power today; it is one of the fastest growing economies and is attracting a lot of international business. It has also always been a major tourist destination with its myriad variety of religious spots and natural beauty. Now, more than ever, people are finding themselves traveling to India for work-related purposes or for a vacation. Though English is spoken throughout India in the urban centers, it will give a person an edge to get to learn the local language.
There might also be people who might be interested to learn the Hindi language, attracted by its rich history and poetic beauty. The best way to learn the Hindi language is from an authentic Hindi language teacher; but, people living outside India might not have easy access to such a tutor. And even those that might find a center that teaches Hindi in their locality might not have the time in their busy lives to attend regular classes.
The next best way for someone to learn the Hindi language is to look for efficient ways of self-learning, since they give them the flexibility to learn the language at a time they wish, from the comfort of their homes. Self-learning also gives them complete control over the pace at which they learn the language. Books have been a means of self-learning for quite a while now. With the advent of the computer age, multimedia-rich CDs and online courses have become interesting and viable options to learn a language.
One of the best books out there today is Learn Hindi by Kirit N Shah A site which sells multiple items by Kirit N Shah is here. This book, written by the famous author of books on Hindi and another Indian language, Gujarati, is meant for just about anyone. It is as suitable for a school going kid as it is for a grown adult. The only requirement that the book places on the learner is the ability to speak and write English and it is one of the most comprehensive Hindi learning products published in the English language.
The book concentrates on all aspects of the Hindi language, including language fundamentals, grammar and vocabulary, sentence formation, prose and poetry and even an English-Hindi index that can be used like a dictionary. Each new concept is introduced in a systematic and step-by-step manner, making it easy for the beginner to follow and understand. There are exercises at the end of each chapter for the learner to test themselves.
Another modern option from the Kirit N Shah stable is the Learn Hindi CD-ROM. It is based on the Learn Hindi book and is aimed at teaching a beginner to read, write, speak and also be able to translate the Hindi language. It is divided in to 7 sections including Fundamentals, Grammar, Vocabulary and Conversation in Hindi. Both the book and the CD are excellent resources for a Hindi language enthusiast.