Hindi language needs community support

National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad is calling on families and communities to take a more active role in preserving and promoting the Hindi language. He emphasized that Hindi is a vital component of Fiji's cultural identity and history.

Prasad noted that initiatives like allowing Hindi in parliament and increasing media content in the language have bolstered its recognition. He also pointed to the establishment of Girmit Day as a national holiday since 2023 as a way to educate current and future generations about the history of the Girmits and maintain Indian identity.

He urged parents, in particular, to support Hindi programs and encourage children to engage with the language. Prasad stressed that sustained backing from communities, media organizations, and institutions is essential to ensure Hindi remains a significant part of Fiji's diverse cultural landscape.

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When our government came in 2023, we took the first 2-3 decisions very well. Firstly, to honour the history of Girmits, a national holiday has been announced. So, for the past 3 years, Girmit Day has been celebrated as a national holiday. So that the people of this generation and the next generation can know about the history of Girmits. And our identity as Indians should be maintained.