By P K Balachandran - COLOMBO

Published: 17th September 2013 09:46 AM

Last Updated: 17th September 2013 09:46 AM

When the Indian Consul General in Jaffna, V Mahalingam, started Hindi classes at the Indian Cultural Corner at the Consulate, he did so with trepidation. He was not sure if there would be any takers for Hindi in a place more steeped in Tamil than Tamil Nadu.

But the response to the classes, launched in December, 2012, was surprisingly encouraging. “About 12 students, both men and women, young and old, enrolled, and picked up enough Hindi to do a full programme by themselves on September 14, the Hindi Diwas (Hindi Day). The hall was full, clearly showing their wide interest,” Mahalingam told Express over phone from Jaffna.

Students recited poems and a chorus sang A R Rahman’s rendition of Vande Mataram, which the audience appreciated.

The Consul General’s decision to start Hindi classes even though there was only one teacher proved to be correct. The lone teacher was the spouse of one of the Consulate’s staff who had the requisite qualifications. She delivered the goods single-handedly and cheerfully. “Mrs Karuna has been an excellent teacher, motivating us all the time,” said Thambithurai Srikanthan (58), whose love for old Hindi film songs drew him to the classes. “As a young man I used to be hooked to the Hindi service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (formerly Radio Ceylon) listening to songs from Kati Patang, Aradhana and Abhiman. The war intervened and we in Jaffna were cut off from the rest of the world. But later, YouTube helped us get back to the good old days of lilting music,” he said. The craze for movie songs is not the only reason why people want to learn Hindi in Jaffna. “Very few people in Jaffna today are familiar with Hindi songs. Most boys and girls here want to learn Hindi to be able to go to North Indian institutions for higher studies,” Srikanthan said.

Echoing his views Mahalingam said, “Many students from Jaffna go to North India, taking advantage of Government of India scholarships.”

http://newindianexpress.com/world/Indian-envoys-efforts-pay-off-as-Hindi-takes-roots-in-Jaffna/2013/09/17/article1788141.ece

In Jaffna ‘India Corner’ was established at the Consulate General of India in January 2013. Classes in Yoga, Violin, Classical vocal music and Hindi are being held in India Corner at the Consulate General of India. Hindi course is for duration of 16 weeks and is being taught to the Sri Lankan students who desire to learn conversation skills and at beginner level. One batch of 12 students have successfully completed their course and the second batch is currently learning the language. Teaching of Hindi was started in India Corner keeping in mind those who plan to go to India for higher studies, visit India for furthering their business prospects and also who are keen to learn Hindi as a language.



Consulate General of India, Jaffna celebrated Hindi Diwas with the participation of the Hindi students who have attended the Hindi classes. In this regard two events were organised namely a poetry reciting competition by the Sri Lankan students of Hindi class and an essay writing competition for the officials of the Consulate. Winner and runner up of both the competitions were given awards.

http://www.cgijaffna.org/events/detail/51

Max please share your views on this development. Thanks.

KV is not the one who should be crying. BIMARUs should watch out.

The LTTE guys may be preparing to infiltrate NI and do some fire works there. If you want to sleep in bed with a snake, that is your choice. You are the expert on it, with all that experience with Babar, Aurangazeb, CONmen, etc. So, you may be ok.

*bump*