President Message

On June 17 2022, I received a letter from the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage.

It was signed by Dr (Mrs) N.Luckheenarain, the Permanent Secretary.

The first 2 paragraph, read :-

‘I am pleased to inform you that the Hon. Minister has in accordance with section 6(3)(B) of the Hindi Speaking Union Act 2015, appointed you as President of the Executive Council of the Hindi Speaking Union, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the date of this letter.

A copy of the Hindi Speaking Union Act 2015 as well as the composition of the Executive Council are enclosed for your information.’

As I went through the eleven objects and functions which the Act mentions, it dawned upon me that, as a life-long ardent promoter of the Hindi language, it is within my possibility to translate them into reality.

I started my career in Primary schools. During my thirteen year long career at this level, five years were spent teaching in schools run by the Ministry of Education. The other eight years were spent at Roman Catholic Aided (RCA) schools.

I then travelled to India for further studies. After graduation, I joined the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) as Education Officer and was then promoted to the post of Lecturer. I retired as Senior Lecturer.

My life has been dedicated to the teaching of Hindi at all levels. I have also propagated Hindi through my programme on radio since 1996 to date and through my numerous publications.

I can therefore assure the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage that I will do everything within my capacity to realise the objects and functions mentioned in the Act.

At the same time I am aware that there is a real need to promote Hindi among the writing generations in Mauritius today. The task may seem difficult, but with some goodwill and dedication, we can change their attitude.

We can do so by focusing on the beauty of the language and its rich culture which is appreciated across the world.

I am confident that Hindi will be more and more appreciated within the Hindu fold and outside.

I request all lovers of Hindi to join the Hindi Speaking Union in the noble mission of propagating the language.

I seek enlightenment from the Almighty so that I may shoulder the responsibility which has been bestowed upon me, to the best of my ability.

Dr Oudaye Narain Gangoo GOSK
President
Hindi Speaking Union