FIJI and India are celebrating their shared cultural and historical connections with the launch of Hindi Pakhwada 2026 in Suva, bringing together poetry, language and community in a fortnight-long celebration.
The program opened with Hindi Diwas and a vibrant Kavi Sammelan, featuring poetry and cultural expressions that highlight the enduring influence of the Hindi language in Fiji.
Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta officially opened the program, which also recognised the important role of Hindi in strengthening the cultural links between the two countries.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran highlighted the significance of Hindi in Fiji’s multicultural identity and its deep connection to the country’s girmitiya heritage.
The celebrations provide an opportunity to recognise the contribution of Hindi to Fiji’s social and cultural landscape, particularly its role in preserving language and traditions passed down through generations.
Hindi Pakhwada, meaning Hindi Fortnight, is being marked through activities promoting the language and its cultural significance.
The opening Kavi Sammelan added a literary dimension to the celebrations, bringing poets and members of the community together to showcase Hindi poetry and expression.
The program also serves as a reminder of the longstanding people-to-people and cultural ties between Fiji and India, which have continued to develop since the arrival of indentured labourers from India to Fiji.
