NEW YORK, NY (TIP): The Consulate General of India in association with ‘Yuva Hindi Sansthan’ and New York University organized the International Regional Hindi Conference 2014 in New York during 25-27 April 2014. The theme of the Conference was “The Hindi Language in the 21st Century Global World”.

Under this, discussions were held on two sub-themes – “Hindi as the Language of the Indian Diaspora” and “Hindi Education”. On 25 April 2014, a welcome reception and dinner was held at the Consulate for all the experts and participants during which ‘Prayog Hindi Manch’, USA, staged the play “Andhon Ka Haathi” written by famous Hindi writer the late Sharad Joshi. On 26 April 2014, the Conference commenced with the lighting of lamp.

Staging of play “Andhon Ka Haathi” written by Late Sharad Joshi

Addressing the participants present, Consul General of India, Dnayaneshwar M. Mulay expressed his good wishes for the success of the Conference. The Conference was inaugurated with the telecast of Ambassador of India to the USA, Dr. S. Jaishankar’s message. This was followed by a Keynote address by the Chairman of Yuva Hindi Sansthan, Dr. Surendra Gambhir of University of Pennsylvania on the subject “America’s Vision of Building a Multi-lingual Society: A Golden Period for Hindi”.

During the Conference experts from the US, Canada and India discussed about the efforts made, difficulties faced, various experiments, use of technology, etc. in teaching Hindi. The second day of the Conference ended with a Kavi Sammelan in which poets from the US, Canada and India participated. A number of proposals were put forth during the Conference – setting up of a Hindi Center in the US, holding the Conference annually, making resources for learning/teaching Hindi available online, collaborating with the Resource Centers in India, etc.

Ambassador of India to the US, Dr. S. Jaishankar’s video inaugural address

The experts and participants wholeheartedly supported these proposals. In the Closing Session of the Conference on the afternoon of 27 April 2014, Prof. Gabriela Nik. Ilieva of New York University presented the Conference Review. Following this Deputy Secretary (Hindi), Ministry of External Affairs of India, Smt. Suniti Sharma addressed those present.

In this Closing Address, Consul General of India, Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay extended his congratulations on the successful conclusion of the Conference and expressed the hope that a similar Conference would be organized soon. He presented Certificates of Recognition to all the experts who had made presentations during the Conference. The Conference concluded with a vote of thanks by the Chief Coordinator of the Conference, Sugandh Rajaram.

Consul General of India, Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay’s closing address