Auckland-based Kiwi-Indian journalist-author Rohit Kumar 'Happy' recently travelled to Fiji to participate in the recently concluded 12th World Hindi Conference (WHC). It was organised in Nadi from 15 to February 17, 2023, by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in association with the Government of Fiji. The conference's central theme was 'Hindi Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence'.
The WHC is a global event to promote and spread the use of the Hindi language worldwide. Its main objective is to provide a platform for Hindi language experts, scholars, and enthusiasts from around the world to come together and exchange ideas, share research, and discuss strategies for promoting and preserving the language. The conference also aims to encourage using Hindi as a means of communication, not only within India but also in other parts of the world with a significant Hindi-speaking population.
The first WHC was held in Nagpur, India, in 1975, and since then, it has been held periodically in different countries worldwide. It is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India in collaboration with the host country.
The 55-year-old Kumar has already published books such as New Zealand Ki Hindi Patrakarita Ka Itihas (2020), NZ Ki Hindi Yatra (Published by Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, India, 2021) as well as Prashant Ki Lok Kathayein (Published by Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, India, 2021). He has been relentlessly working to promote Hindi literature in New Zealand.
Before coming to NZ three decades ago, Rohit, who hails from Kaithal in Haryana, had a bachelor's degree from Kurukshetra University and a diploma in journalism.
This was his third time attending the WHC. He has participated at the 10th and 11th WHC held in Bhopal, India (2015) and Mauritius (2018), respectively.
In this conversation with the Indian Weekender, Kumar, who edits Bharat-Darshan, the world's first online Hindi literary magazine since 1996, reminisces about the conference, its significance and much more. Excerpts from the interview
How was your experience of attending the WHC in Fiji this year?
Fiji is our neighbour, so we were excited when the WHC was held there. The former Governor General of NZ, Sir Anand Satyanand, was also an invitee to the conference and addressed the event at the closing ceremony.
It was great to see other distinguished people from NZ, such as author Preeta Vyas; Roopa Aur Aap Charitable Trust chairperson Roshni Chadha and CEO Roopa Suchdev; Indian language and Culture Trust of New Zealand founder Satya Dutt, Sunita Narayan from Wellington Hindi School and Himani Mishra from Southland Hindi School among others attending it.
My article, ‘NZ Hindi Ki Vikas Yatra', was also published in the souvenir of the 12th World Hindi Conference, along with the articles of many other Hindi scholars.
It was also a matter of pride that two of my books - NZ Ki Hindi Yatra and Prashant Ki Lok Kathayein - were officially launched at this conference by India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan.
How important do you think this global event is in promoting the Hindi language at the world level?
Hindi is the official language of India, and undoubtedly it is a powerful medium as a link language for people outside of India. If any event is organised selflessly and in a fair way to promote it, then it will be beneficial for any society and for the protection and promotion of the language.
What have been the highlights of this event for you?
I met many new people and had a dialogue with them, and got an opportunity to understand the problems regarding Hindi in Fiji. It also gave me a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the journey of Hindi in Fiji.
How does this event strengthen India's global image?
The presence of dignitaries such as Indian External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar, several Indian Union Ministers of State, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Biman Prasad, testimonies its importance.
However, NZ's role could have been better. There are world-class artists in NZ, and they could have been included. Overall, India has shown its capability and would strengthen its relationship with Fiji.
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