Hindi is one of the most important languages of the world. Hindi Day is celebrated today, September 14.
The Hindi language is rich in culture, tradition and history.
Like all languages, Hindi also is one of the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our heritage.
Hindi is spoken by millions of people worldwide including Fiji.
However, today many students do not wish to take up Hindi studies at school.
Nevertheless, learning a language is living a new life connecting with the new perspective of life and learning one’s own mother tongue is reviving and re-establishing our roots of existence.
Education experts such as Cummins and Baker among others have confirmed through their research that young learners who start their schooling in their mother tongue throughout their primary education are more likely to develop their educational, linguistic and thinking skills.
Therefore, it is vital for students of Indian descent to take Hindi in primary schools.
This will lay a firm foundation of a child’s learning the Hindi language more confidently.
Values, virtues, habits, religious teachings, customs and beliefs are all encapsulated in the Hindi language.
Hindi also defines an individual’s cultural identity. By learning Hindi, we can understand and appreciate our culture, traditions, songs and dances, with greater insight and awareness.
Kamlapaati Tripathi states that “Hindi is the soul of Indian Culture”.
Thus, it is our duty and responsibility to preserve the Hindi language and culture in order to pass it down from generation to generation.
Many steps can be taken to preserve Hindi.
Children should be provided with Hindi books to read.
We must encourage our children to read Hindi books.
They should be encouraged to watch Hindi programs on television and listen to the radio in Hindi.
Parents should devote time each day to reading Hindi books and speaking in Hindi with children.
Parents should tell stories and discuss interesting subjects; such as parents’ childhood stories, celebrations, culture, traditions, incidents, funny incidents, and achievements in Hindi to their children.
It was sad that the Shanti Dut stopped publishing early this year.
The Shanti Dut was a great source of information for many of us Hindi readers.
One suggestion is if a four-page supplement of the Shanti Dut could be inserted into the The Fiji Times every Saturday.
In addition the Nai Lalakai supplement could also be inserted into The Fiji Times.
This will promote our two important languages in Fiji. Fiji Times Pte Ltd was the only company in Fiji that published Hindi and iTaukei language newspapers.
Technology can also be used to promote Hindi. Since many of us have smartphone, various reading materials in Hindi are available on the internet and should be read.
There are many videos on YouTube in Hindi where many of us can learn much in Hindi.
Also the High Commission of India in Fiji should provide scholarships to at least five-10 individuals to study Hindi in our three main universities.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted travel to India – the budget allocation can be diverted to fund the education of students in tertiary institutions in Fiji to get qualifications in Hindi language and literature.
Hindi plays a huge role in the development of personal, social and cultural identity.
Children with a strong foundation in Hindi will often display a deeper understanding of themselves, along with an increased sense of wellbeing and confidence.
Consequently, this flows down into every aspect of their lives, including their academic achievement.
Hindi is not static; it is ever changing, constantly creating, affirming and expressing in new ways.
I would like to end with a Hindi poem from an Indian poet Muqtida Hasan Nida Fazli titled “Safar mein dhoop
to hogi”.
This poem highlights life’s eternal struggles and reminds us that greatness comes at a price and nothing in life comes without sacrifice.
Safar mein dhoop to hogi jo chal sako to chalo Sabhi hai bheed mein tum bhi nikal sako to chalo Idhar udhar kai manzil hai chal sako to chalo Bane banaye hain sanche jo dhal sako to chalo Kisi ke waste raahein kahan badalti hain
Tum apne aap ko khud hi badal sako to chalo Yahan kisi ko koi rasta nahin deta Mujhe gira ke agar tum sambhal sako to chalo Yahi hai zindagi kuchh khwab chand ummidein Inhin khilono se tum bhi bahal sako to chalo Har ik safar ko hai mahfoos raston ki talash Hifajton ki rivayat badal sako to chalo Kahin nahin koi sooraj, dhuan dhuan hai fi za
Khud apne aap se bahar nikal sako to chalo
The English translation is:
The hot scorching sun is part of the journey If you can endure, then please do so All are in the crowd If you can make way, then please do so Paths do not change for anyone If you can change yourself, then please do so Here nobody makes way for anyone If you can knock me down, and keep yourself up and move ahead, then please do so
This is the life: few dreams and few momentary hopes If you can play with these to amuse you, then please do so Every journey seeks a safe destination If you can leave the way of safety, then please do so There is no light anywhere, the weather is foggy If you can come out of yourself, then please do so Happy Hindi Day.
- Bhagwanji Bhindi is a lecturer at the Fiji National University and is a Kaila! contributor and a poet. The views expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper
