The Tamil language is making a comeback in Fiji schools after an absence of 80 years, providing a significant cultural revival for the community. This development was announced on Wednesday at Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki by India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, during the launch of a new Tamil education program funded by the Indian government.
To facilitate this initiative, two Tamil teachers from India have been assigned to teach at Penang Sangam School and Sangam Primary School in Labasa. This revival is a response to the long-held requests from members of the Fiji Indian community, particularly descendants of the Girmitiyas, who migrated from present-day Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century.
Mr. Karthigeyan expressed his enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing the importance of language in preserving culture and enhancing intercultural understanding. He noted that Tamil, one of the oldest classical languages globally, is a rich and vibrant language with over 80 million speakers worldwide. This initiative was catalyzed by discussions during External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Fiji for the 12th World Hindi Conference, where he met with members of the local diaspora.
The Secretary-General of TISI Sangam, Gyaneshwar Rao, expressed gratitude towards India for its support in reviving Tamil education in Fiji. In addition to the language program, students at Penang Sangam School also engaged in a flash quiz organized by the High Commission of India as a part of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest.
This exciting development not only highlights the significance of preserving cultural identities but also strengthens the connection between India and Fiji, promising a brighter future for the Tamil language and culture within the Fijian context. The collaboration between the Fiji government and Indian institutions underscores a shared commitment to cultural heritage, fostering diversity, and mutual respect among communities.
In summary, the reintroduction of Tamil language classes in Fiji marks a hopeful milestone for cultural preservation and community engagement, reaffirming the importance of linguistic diversity.
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