Indian Consulate in New York gears up for 5th International Hindi Conference

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The Consulate General of India in New York, the host of the Fifth International Hindi Conference scheduled to be held on October 20 and 21st, held a curtain raiser event July 20, 2023.

“It is not about promoting Hindi, it is about promoting India’s culture around the world,” Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeff is quoted saying in the press release at the pre-launch event.

“We consider all Indian languages very important for the progress of our nations. However, Hindi commands a special place in the Indian Diaspora and it must be supported by all people of Indian origin. Honorable Randhir Jaiswal, the Consul General, is the advisor of this conference. We are committed to make this conference a grand success,” he added.

He congratulated Hindi Sangam Foundation, the organizing body of the conference, for collaborating with leading US universities, such as, New York University, Michigan State University and a number of educational and cultural organizations including The World Hindi Secretariat, Mauritius, Shikshayatan, New York and more. “I am sure it will ensure a high quality of discussions over Hindi education around the world during the conference,” DCG Jeff said.

Coordinator of the conference Ashok Ojha, said, “We encourage everyone interested in promotion of Hindi as a world language, to participate in the conference.”

The registration is free and can be done by submitting a form, which is published on the conference website: https://ihc2023.in/.  “One can also submit his/her proposal using the link on the site on the theme-Innovations in Hindi Instruction-which will be evaluated by our Academic Committee headed by Prof Gabriela Nik Ilieva, NYU,” Ojha added.

“We want to reach out to the Indian-American community in order to convey the importance of promoting Hindi language through education,” said Purnima Desai, chairperson of Hindi Sangam Foundation, the organizing body of the conference. “Today we are enjoying the friendly relationship between India and the USA.It is natural that our language and culture should be promoted vigorously in this country,” she added.

Upendra Chivukula, former NJ Assemblyman and Chairperson, Yuva Hindi Sansthan, whose native language is Telugu, said that the new generation of Indian-Americans must learn the language and culture of India, especially Hindi, in order to remain connected to their roots. Dr. Bijoy Mehta, a New York based cardiologist and Hindi poet, who will preside over a Kavi Sammelan during the conference, urged the Government of India to consider building a Hindi Center in the New York metropolitan area on the lines of cultural centers of France, Japan and other nations.

Others who spoke on the occasion included, Head of Chancery Suman Singh; Neena Sarin, a Fulbright-Hays recipient; Akshay Charturvedi, Country Head, ICICI Bank, USA; Vijay Kumar, Bank of India, NY; Sushma Malhotra and Pradip Tandon, Queens, NY.

The conference aims to provide a forum for Hindi professionals engaged in teaching Hindi from Kindergarten to College levels. It will attempt to create a road map for moving forward with teaching the Hindi language as a heritage language and a foreign language in countries other than India.