THE Hindi Parishad Fiji’s Western branch in conjunction with the High Commission of India and the Girmit Multicultural Centre celebrated World Hindi Day at the Girmit Multicultural Centre in Lautoka last week.
Fiji National University associate professor Dr Subashni Kumar said the program aimed to promote the Hindi language and highlight its cultural significance within our multicultural society.
“The purpose of organising the event worldwide including Fiji, is to sustain our mother-tongue, the Hindi language,” Dr Kumar said.
“And also to promote the language and its cultural significance among the community and Indian diaspora in Fiji and everyone around the world.
“So, we come together as one to promote the mother tongue as well as its cultural significance to the community.”
Dr Kumar said the participants, which included students, were from Sigatoka, Ba, Nadi and Lautoka.
“These students will be given certificates for the presentations that they will be doing.
“That will be in poetry, dance, oratory and storytelling.”
She acknowledged the Indian High Commission in Fiji for its support towards the Hindi Parishad Fiji.
“Their financial support helps us to sustain and to motivate the youths in giving them certificates, awarding them with prizes and trophies so that they take interest in their language and culture.
“We have also planned for five celebrations this year.
“We will be doing Holi celebrations, Girmit celebrations and we will be awarding students who got the highest mark in Hindi subject for Year 8, Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13.”
