Staff Reporter
People should appreciate the importance of preserving and promoting their language even as they integrate into the mainstream society, a lawmaker has said.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, who has been a Member of Parliament on National List since 2008, said that migrants from various parts of the world in general and those from the countries of the Indian Sub-Continent in particular should not only speak their mother-tongue in their homes but also with the younger generation.
Traditional values
“We have ample opportunities to communicate in English at our workplaces, businesses and while interacting with New Zealanders. The languages spoken in the countries of our origin are beautiful and must be promoted in our families and communities. Language also helps us to preserve and promote our cultural values and traditions,” he said.
Mr Bakshi was speaking as the Chief Guest at a programme organised by the Urdu Hindu Cultural Association of New Zealand in Avondale, Auckland on November 30, 2014.
He paid tributes to the contributions of Nafees Akhtar, President of the Association, saying that his efforts to promote Urdu were inspiring and commendable.
Among the other speakers were Members of Parliament Dr Parmjeet Parmar (National) and Mahesh Bindra (New Zealand First).
Syed Mujeeb, Secretary General of the Association outlined its activities and urged members and others to promote Indian languages among the communities.
Mushaira bards
Roopa Suchdev, a prominent media personality, was the Master of Ceremonies. She initiated the Mushaira session, which included Saima Siddiqui, Suman Kapoor, Ghouse Majeed, Rais Alvi, Faiyum Khan, Mr Akhtar and Mr Mujeeb.
-With reporting by Syed Mujeeb
