World Hindi Day Celebrated At National University Of Singapore With Book Launch

On January 10th, a significant event took place at the National University of Singapore (NUS) to honor World Hindi Day, also known as Vishwa Hindi Diwas. This day celebrates the Hindi language and its global presence. The event saw the unveiling of three books filled with stories and poems in Hindi that depict life in Singapore. India's Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, Pooja Tillu, officiated the release, highlighting the event's emphasis on promoting Hindi's worldwide application and appreciation.

The books' publication was a collaborative effort involving the High Commission of India, the NUS, the Singapore Sangam Hindi Association, and the Vani Prakashan Group (VPG) from India. This marks a notable occasion as it was the "first time we got a publisher from India (VPG) to bring out two books of poems and stories written by members of the Indian community living in Singapore," according to Dr. Sandhya Singh, who oversees the Hindi and Tamil language programs at NUS. The dissemination of these works aims to enrich the global Hindi literature corpus with Singaporean experiences.

Dr. Singh also noted the event's unique approach this year, merging the World Hindi Day celebrations with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which commemorates the contributions of the overseas Indian community on January 9. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was marked with vigor, inaugurated by an enchanting Odissi dance performance and the display of Lord Jagannath's statutes. This blend of celebrations underscores the diverse ways the Indian diaspora contributes to India's development and the spread of Hindi worldwide.

The NUS Centre for Language Studies, known for its comprehensive language programs, took this opportunity to acknowledge students learning Hindi. Deputy High Commissioner Tillu awarded certificates to these students, recognizing their dedication to mastering the language. Among the learners, Chinese-origin students Jonathan Lee and Gregory Neo stood out by reciting Hindi poems by diaspora writers such as Padmesh Gupta, Divya Mathur, and Vinod Dubey. This highlights the interest in Hindi beyond the Indian community, showcasing its appeal as a language of cultural and intellectual enrichment.

Jonathan, a computer science graduate, shared his fascination with Hindi, expressing his eagerness to use his language skills on his forthcoming visit to India. Gregory, a philosophy student at NUS, reflected on his journey of learning Hindi, from initial struggles to achieving a comfortable level of fluency. These testimonies underscore Hindi's growing popularity among non-native speakers and its potential for bridging cultural gaps.

NUS offers five Hindi courses designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the language. Hindi, spoken by a vast global population, presents itself as an essential tool for communication and cultural exchange. The recent event at NUS not only celebrated the Hindi language but also demonstrated its significance and versatility in the global arena.