The teaching of the Tamil language has made a significant comeback in Fiji after an absence of 80 years. This revival was announced on Wednesday at the Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki, where the High Commissioner of India, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, launched a government-funded Tamil language teaching program.
Two Tamil teachers from India have been assigned to both the Penang Sangam School and Sangam Primary School in Labasa to provide Tamil language classes to students and interested community members. Mr. Karthigeyan emphasized the importance of this initiative, which has been a long-standing request from the Fiji Indian community, particularly the descendants of Girmitiyas who migrated from present-day Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century.
He noted that this program is being developed through collaboration with the Fijian Ministry of Education and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, a prominent community organization in Fiji. The agreement for this program followed a visit by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Fiji in February for the 12th World Hindi Conference, where he engaged with representatives of the Indian diaspora.
The revival of Tamil language instruction in Fiji is seen as a crucial step in preserving cultural heritage and fostering intercultural understanding. Mr. Karthigeyan emphasized the significant role that language plays in maintaining and enriching cultural identity. He highlighted Tamil as one of the world’s oldest classical languages, spoken by over 80 million people across the globe, and urged Fijians to embrace learning the language.
This initiative is expected to fortify the bonds between India and Fiji, and Gyaneshwar Rao, the secretary-general of TISI Sangam, expressed gratitude for India’s support in this cultural endeavor. In a related event, students at the Penang Sangam School participated in a flash quiz conducted by the High Commission of India in Fiji as part of the ongoing Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest.
This development is a positive step toward enriching Fiji’s cultural landscape and empowering the Tamil-speaking community, promoting linguistic diversity, and enhancing global connections.
In summary, the return of Tamil language education in Fiji after 80 years represents a cultural renaissance that not only honors the heritage of the Indian community but also enriches the fabric of Fijian society as a whole.
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