Mangaluru: St Aloysius University organised a one-day International Language Conference to commemorate World Hindi Day, bringing together scholars, educators, and professionals to deliberate on the theme “The Future of Hindi in the Global Scenario.” The conference was organised by the Department of Hindi and Hindi Association, School of Language and Cultural Studies, and the School of Law, in association with the Regional Office of Bank of Baroda and VRDF, Mangaluru.
The event underscored the relevance of Hindi as a language of communication, culture, and knowledge in an increasingly globalised world, while also examining practical pathways to strengthen its usage within India and abroad.
Call to prioritise Hindi within India
The Chief Guest, Vikas Singh, Chief Manager of Baroda Academy, Mangaluru, traced the journey of Hindi’s international recognition and presence on global platforms. Emphasising the importance of internal adoption, he remarked, “Raise the nation’s pride, let us work in Hindi,” calling upon institutions and professionals to prioritise the language in official, academic, and professional domains within the country.
He observed that Hindi’s global acceptance would be stronger if its functional use and academic depth were reinforced domestically, alongside skill development that enables effective global engagement.
Hindi before and after Independence
In his inaugural address, Dr Mukunda Prabhu, Head of the Department of Hindi, reflected on the evolution of Hindi before and after Independence, highlighting key milestones that shaped its contemporary status. He noted that while Hindi has grown as a unifying language, sustained academic engagement and modern application are essential for its continued relevance.
On the occasion, winners of competitions organised as part of World Hindi Day celebrations were honoured, encouraging student participation and creative expression in the language.
Indian languages and the Constitution
The technical sessions offered academic depth and diverse perspectives. Fr Prashant Siqueira SJ, Associate Dean of the School of Law at St Aloysius University, spoke on the constitutional status of Indian languages, stressing the importance of linguistic diversity and inclusivity enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He emphasised that promoting Indian languages strengthens democratic participation and cultural continuity.
Hindi, skills and global opportunities
In the second session, Vivek Mani Tripathi, Associate Professor of Hindi at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, shared insights from an international perspective. He explained that along with Hindi proficiency, professional and academic skills are crucial for working abroad.
Dr Tripathi stressed that Hindi must evolve as a language of knowledge, capable of conveying advanced concepts in education, research, and professional practice, rather than remaining limited to cultural or conversational use.
Challenges in non-Hindi-speaking regions
Chairing the technical session, Prof Sridhar Hegde, Head of the Department of Hindi at Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa College, discussed practical challenges in promoting Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking regions. He offered solutions focused on pedagogy, community engagement, and contextual learning to make Hindi more accessible and relevant.
Participation and coordination
The programme began with a welcome address by Dr Mahabubali A. Nadaf. The subject experts were introduced by Adit Kumar, Jalpa, and Khushbu, while Manish proposed the vote of thanks. The conference, conducted in webinar format, drew around 350 participants, reflecting strong interest from students, teachers, and language enthusiasts.
Strengthening Hindi’s global future
Organisers said the conference aimed to bridge tradition and modernity by aligning Hindi with contemporary academic, legal, and professional needs. Discussions reiterated that the future of Hindi depends on sustained institutional support, innovation in teaching, and its integration with global skills and knowledge systems—an approach also reflected in broader discussions on Hindi worldwide.
