Modi extols values of Hindi for globalisation

Sunita Narayan – 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the importance of promoting Hindi among the Indian Diaspora and as the means of enhancing globalisation values.

Inaugurating the Tenth World Hindi Conference at the Lal Parade Grounds in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh recently, he revealed his vision for the language and the value it can bring towards closer cooperation among the international Indian community.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan echoed Mr Modi’s sentiments on Hindi.

The Conference attracted about 2000 delegates from 50 countries including India.

The Lake City set a stunning background for the four-day Conference held from September 9, allowing for serious discussions on promoting the language and culture.

The Conference accounted for five delegates from New Zealand including Aneeta Bidesi, a Hindi teacher at Papatoetoe High School (Auckland), Rohit Kumar, publisher of online newspaper Bharat Darshan (Auckland), Suman Kapoor, Past President of GOPIO Waikato Chapter and current President of Multicultural Council Inc and the author of this report (Wellington).

Bhopal, founded by Raja Bhoj, who was a legendary King of India in the 11^th Century, established the city. Bhopal has many natural and artificial lakes and has retained its old-world charm despite industrialisation. The older part of the city is characterised by narrow alleyways and crammed markets, while the new city is better planned with parks and gardens. A modern ‘Raja Bhoj’ Airport warmly greets air travellers.

Hindi values

We attended various sessions, presented by local and foreign experts that made up the conference, met with dignitaries, academics, writers, authors, students, Hindi workers including volunteers from various countries and caught up with friends we have made through our Hindi networks.

Among the exhibitions were demonstrations of how ICT can support language learning and a grand display of Hindi in the lives of the Girmityas (Indentured labourers).

The delegates also had the opportunity of visiting the tribal museum on Shaymla Hills which provided an insight into the art, history, culture and life of the tribal communities of Bhopal. Exuberant dances performed by the various tribal groups entertained the gusts.

Conference History

The first World Hindi Conferences was organised by the India Government through its Ministry of External Affairs Conference in Nagpur in January 1975. It was inaugurated by Mrs Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister.

The late Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (who was Prime Minister of Mauritius at that time), proposed the establishment of the World Hindi Secretariat as a unit at the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research in his country. It is now in growth phase with its premises to be built soon. Another initiative was the setting up of the Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University in Wardha, Maharashtra, named after the leader who wanted Hindi to be recognised as the National language of India in the 1930s. This university was set up in 1997.

Post Conference

After the conference, we joined 17 delegates from Fiji to attend workshops and meetings in New Delhi and Agra. The activities were initiated by Anil Sharma, Second Secretary (Hindi and Culture) at the High Commission of India in Suva Fiji. The Central Hindi Institute in New Delhi and Agra, Pravasi Sansar and the Sahitya Academy, to name a few organisations along with many academics, publishers and renown authors reciprocated Mr Sharma’s request and made our visit educational and comfortable.  Interspersed with the conference and workshops were visits to the Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal and other places of interest and attraction.

Sunita Narayan is the Coordinator of the Wellington Hindi School based in Wellington. Another report on promoting Hindi in New Zealand appears under Educationlink. Email: sundev@paradise.net.nz 

World Hindi Conferences held to date