After a substantial hiatus of 80 years, the Tamil language is set to be taught in schools across Fiji, marking a significant cultural revival. This was announced on Wednesday at Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki by India’s High Commissioner, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, during the unveiling of a Tamil language teaching program funded by the Indian government.
As part of this initiative, two Tamil teachers from India will be assigned to Penang Sangam School and Sangam Primary School in Labasa to provide Tamil language classes for students and interested members of the community. Mr. Karthigeyan emphasized the importance of this revival, especially for descendants of Girmitiyas who migrated to Fiji from Tamil Nadu in India during the early 20th century.
This language revival program is being executed in collaboration with Fiji’s Ministry of Education and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, a prominent community organization in Fiji. The agreement for this initiative was established following a visit by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Fiji for the 12th World Hindi Conference, where he met with representatives of the Fiji Indian diaspora.
Mr. Karthigeyan expressed that this initiative comes at a critical time when the Tamil language, one of the oldest classical languages globally, has been on the verge of fading away in Fiji. He underscored the role of language in preserving culture and promoting understanding among diverse communities. With over 80 million speakers worldwide, he encouraged the people of Fiji to engage with the Tamil language to foster connections between India and Fiji.
Additionally, the students of Penang Sangam School participated in a flash quiz organized by the High Commission of India in Fiji as part of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest, further enriching their educational experience.
This initiative not only revives a significant cultural element for the Tamil community in Fiji but also strengthens the ties between India and Fiji, promoting a spirit of multiculturalism and unity within the Island nation. The hope is that as more students learn Tamil, it will enhance community bonds and preserve a vital aspect of their heritage for future generations.
Leave a comment