Indian culture lives in us through our way of life, and with much humbleness and pride I say that there is a peaceful co-existence of multiple cultures in Fiji.
This has been highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Veena Bhatnagar during the Hindi Divas – Kavi Sammelan at the Swami Vivekanda Cultural Centre.
The event was organised by the Indian High Commission to mark Hindi Day which is celebrated annually on the 14th of September.
Bhatnagar says she is delighted to hear the Kavi Sammelan and Hindi Day celebrations is also being organised as a run up event to the upcoming World Hindi Conference in India as their National Language.
She says she is glad to know that the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has welcomed the idea of Fiji hosting the World Hindi Conference in 2023 while meeting with the Indian Minister for External Affairs in Bali some months ago.
Bhatnagar also says language is intrinsic to the expression of culture and Indians taken under the indenture system have preserved their culture while in Fiji very well.
She has thanked the organisers for including Hindi speaking poets from around Fiji who were present at the event and were given the platform to share and recite some of their poems
Bhatnagar also contributed by reciting a poem she wrote herself especially for the event.
She also thanked the Indian Government for continuously supporting the people of Fiji through diplomatic ties and congratulated them on their 75 years of Independence.
The Kavi Sammelan was also part of the ongoing celebrations to commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence.
