New Delhi, Feb 15 (FN Bureau) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji President Wiliame Katonivere inaugurated the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi, Fiji, on Wednesday.The opening ceremony saw the traditional Fijian welcome of Sevu Sevu, and release of a commemorative postal stamp as well as six Hindi language books, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in tweets. “President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere of Fiji and EAM @DrSJaishankar inaugurated the 12th #VishwaHindiSammelan in Nadi, Fiji. “Joined by Ministers & Parliamentarians from India & Fiji.” “The opening ceremony saw the traditional Fijian welcome of Sevu Sevu, and release of a commemorative postal stamp as well as six Hindi language books,” he posted. EAM Jaishankar in tweets said he was honoured to receive the traditional Sevu Sevu welcome at the inauguration of the 12th World Hindi Sammelan. “Deeply honoured to receive the traditional Sevusevu welcome in the presence of President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the inaugural of the 12th #VishwaHindiSammelan. “Had the first cup of kava with a prayer for the health, peace and prosperity of India and Fiji,” he posted. “Started the day by participating in a traditional Fiji welcome. Presented the Sevusevu to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.May the deep and abiding India-Fiji bonds always remain strong,” he posted. He later met with Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, who was in Delhi last week, “Great to meet @FijiGovernment DPM @bimanprasad in Nadi shortly after our meeting in New Delhi. “Discussed further advancing our long-standing ties through our development cooperation.”
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who is also in Fiji for the event, said he was happy to deliver the opening remarks at the inaugural session of the conference. “Happy to deliver opening remarks at inaugural session of 12th #VishwaHindiSammelan in Fiji, where President of Fiji H.E.Ratu Wiliame Katonivere & EAM presided.” “Excited about forthcoming sessions covering wide range of topics from traditional knowledge to Artificial Intelligence,” he tweeted. EAM’s visit to Fiji is also the first by an incoming Ministerial delegation after the formation of the new Government in Fiji in December 2022. The conference is being held at the Denarau Island Convention Center, in Nadi, Fiji. The decision to host the conference in Fiji was taken at the last World Hindi Sammelan in Mauritius in 2018.A 270 team from India is in Fiji for the conference, while many Hindi scholars from India and abroad are also participating in the conference. Representatives from 50 countries are also participating in the sammelan. During the event scholars of Hindi and those who have contributed to the language will be honoured.The South and Northeast region will be given emphasis to and experts from these regions will be participating in the conference. The theme of the conference is ‘Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence’.
Ten parallel sessions will be held during the conference. These are: Hindi in Girmitiya countries; Hindi in Fiji and the Pacific; IT and Hindi in the 21st century; Media and the global perception of Hindi; Global reference of Indian knowledge traditions and Hindi; Linguistic coordination and Hindi translation; Different forms of Hindi cinema and global scenario; Global market and Hindi; Pravasi Hindi sahitya in changing scenario and Hindi teaching in India and abroad – challenges and solutions.Hindi is one of the official languages of Fiji, and is spoken by a wide spectrum of Fijian population.India is also a major development partner of Fiji, with the cooperation focussed on capacity building, healthcare, education, agriculture, MSME sector, renewable energy, climate change and Information Technology.