8th World Hindi Conference evokes enthusiastic response

(Contributory article)

And the chronicle registers the majestic culmination of all aspirations and inspirations of all the lovers of Hindi language. The much-awaited 8th World Hindi Conference started in New York on 13th of July'2007 with Indian National Anthem inside the United Nations auditorium. 

The preliminary purpose of language is to bind people together and act as an effective means to communicate. Hindi, spoken by several millions of people round the globe has the standing of an international language. The conference celebrates the ecstasy of Hindi and demands its acceptance as an official foreign language of UN. 

The inaugural function was powered by very high dignitaries from across the world. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon graced the occasion with his kind presence. Also, present on the stage were ministers from Mauritius and Nepal who have requested to host the next World Hindi Conference in their respective countries. This Conference is being organised by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GOI) in association with Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, New York. Theme for this conference is 'Hindi on a Global Forum' (Vishwa Manch par Hindi). 

India is being represented by Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister of State (MEA, GOI) who thanked the UN for passing a resolution to observe Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday (2nd October) as ‘the International Day of Non-violence’. Mr. Sharma said it's a recognition to the Gandhian values which is relevant not only to Indian conditions but is apt for the whole world. He added that Hindi is not just the second most used language after Mandarin in the world but is an identity of our age old civilization. Hindi has been the language of our 'Freedom Struggle'.
He repeatedly said that Hindi should be adopted in the UN as its official language. He reiterated Mrs. Gandhi's demand that she had put forward in the First World Hindi Conference, Nagpur in 1975.

Speaking about Hindi, Mr. Sharma said that Hindi should be flexible. It should broadly be divided into two categories-

a. Classical; 
b. Conversational (for common man)
 
He also mentioned the contribution of Bollywood in spreading Hindi worldwide. People from all over the world want to visit India to be a part of India's booming economy by learning Hindi. It's in vogue. Let everybody be a part of this Hindi revolution.

Then an audio visual presentation was played that carried the message of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for the conference. The PM Speech for the occasion focussed on the presence of Hindi in the global scenario. Hindi is taught in more than hundred universities across the world, including US. A World Hindi Secretariat has also been founded in Mauritius by the support of GOI. He was influenced by the support that Hindi is getting from everywhere.

He discussed the role of IT in Hindi. Now Hindi litterateurs like Premchand, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, etc are available on the net for an easy view of the younger generation. He advised that good Hindi software should be developed. Hindi ought to be accepted & considered a language of Business and Science. Its extensive usage in all fields and aspects will certainly garner the desired result. And finally the demand of inclusion of Hindi as an official foreign language of UN would become a living reality. Let us start and world will follow.

UN Secretary General started his speech by ‘Namaste, Kya haal chaal hai? Mai Hindi thoda thoda bolta hoon.’ Secretary General has a special attachment with India. Infact his first assignment was in India and it was here that his son was born to him. And now his Son-in-law is also an Indian. Strongly connected to India he feels that Hindi should get its due. He emphasised that Hindi is a language of understanding and harmony. Finally he concluded his speech with words in Hindi – ‘Is sammellan me bhaag lete hue mujhe bahut khushi ho rahi hai. Mai aapko shubhkamnaein deta hoon’
 
The Conference is for three days with a wide range of Academic Sessions has lot more to offer to every Hindi lover of the globe. Visit www.vishwahindi.com and find how time has travelled so far and brought Hindi to this stature. With the objective clear and goal defined we can certainly gain what we want out of this celebration. This was a defining moment in the history of Hindi and for UN as well. Such a huge gathering of Hindi lovers has never been witnessed in UN so far.  
The time is seasoned when the importance of Hindi is realized by the world as a language that not only connects people but gives a flavour of the culture and tradition it represents. Though we still have miles to go so far we have travelled with a strong conviction and a sense of pride for the language, culture and ethos we represent. The true cauldron of India and Indianess will soon be echoed with gala occasions as this to leave an imprint in the minds of the generations to come. Evamastu!   

Contributed By: Pankaj Dubey

(Pankaj Dubey writes on socio-cultural issues related to Indian Diaspora. He is the resident Editor of Pravasi Today, a magazine for the NRIs and PIOs.)