13 January, 2026, 2:17 pm Central - 26°C Rain

There was an attempt to dilute teaching of vernacular languages – Prof. Prasad
Centre for Hindi Studies to be launched at UniFiji

There was an attempt to dilute teaching of vernacular languages – Prof. Prasad

Centre for Hindi Studies to be launched at UniFiji

By Mansi Chand
26/05/2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad

There was an attempt in the country to dilute—and perhaps even remove the teaching of vernacular languages, however, the government is committed to restoring this.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad highlighted this during the 2025 Arya Convention and 108th AGM celebrations at DAV Girls College in Samabula.

He says some of the individuals who were once part of the effort to dilute Hindi language are now able to speak the language in Parliament and other public spaces.

In recognition of this, Professor Prasad says the government will provide additional funding to the University of Fiji for the establishment of a Centre for Hindi Studies.

The Deputy Prime Minister paid tribute to the founder of Arya Samaj, Maharshi Swami Dayanand Saraswati and the forefathers for their sacrifice as they kept their religion alive.

He says the Indo-Fijian community is now the beneficiaries of their hard work.

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