Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Hindi ke bina main gunga hoon” (Without Hindi, I am voiceless).
And seemingly taking a cue from the same, Hindi and Shikshak Diwas was celebrated in NZ will full fervour on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).
The event was organised by Roopa Aur Aap Charitable trust in collaboration with Bhartiya Samaj Charitable trust with the support of the High Commission of India and Urdu Hindi Cultural Association of New Zealand at Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust Hall, Mount Roskill, Auckland, on Sunday (October 2).
The event's theme was to promote Hindi as a language and centred around what role a teacher plays as a tutor.
The event commenced with the welcome of chief guest Bhav Dhillon, Hon Consul of India in Auckland, who was accompanied by his wife, Ruby Dhillon.
The event saw the presence of many distinguished guests, including community leaders, scholars, and teachers, who came together to mark the celebration.
The event saw guests reciting ghazals, shayaris, and poetry that was appreciated by one and all. Those in attendance included Founder and Chairperson of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Jeet Suchdev; poetess and author Dr. Sunita Sharma; community leader Roshni Chadha; community leader and Justice of Peace Indu Bajwa and immigration advisor Nimi Bedi, among others.
Sharing her experience, Bajwa, who recited a poem at the event, told Indian Weekender, "I liked the idea of having such small events which can promote the language. They also mentioned publishing a book in Hindi with local talent. As a teacher and a parent, I believe it's a collective effort to promote the language."
She added, " As parents, we should encourage our mother tongue and have a language teacher guide creative writing."
Another guest Somnath Gupta recited his poem, 'Chehre,' which was much appreciated by those in attendance.
Regarding the event, Roopa Suchdev, CEO of Roopa Aur Aap Charitable Trust, said, "The event was to promote and acknowledge our mother tongue Hindi. Agar hamari bhasha nahi to hum nahi or matrabhasha nahi to hamara astitva hi nahi. Hum ek bejan pathar hai. If we do not have a language, we can't survive, and if we don't have our mother tongue, we have no existence. We are like stone.) Therefore, it is imperative to have such events and keep our Hindi language alive and thriving.”
One of the guests, Naresh Kumar, called the event 'absolutely amazing.'
Since the event was held on Gandhi Jayanti, it also acknowledged Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and Lal Bahadur Shastri's birthday and paid tribute to them for their sacrifices for the country.
The event concluded with a delectable dinner and guests mingling with each other in a relaxed set-up.
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