The Tamil language is set to make a significant return to Fiji’s educational system after an absence of 80 years. This announcement was made by the High Commissioner of India, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, during an event at the Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki, where the government of India-funded Tamil language teaching program was launched.
To facilitate this revival, two Tamil teachers from India will begin teaching Tamil language classes at the Penang Sangam School and Sangam Primary School in Labasa, catering to students as well as interested community members. This development addresses a long-standing demand from the Fiji Indian community, especially those descended from Girmitiyas who migrated from modern-day Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century.
Mr. Karthigeyan highlighted that the initiative is a collaboration with Fiji’s Ministry of Education and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, an organization representing the Indian diaspora in Fiji. The agreement for this program was reached following External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Fiji last February during the 12th World Hindi Conference, where he engaged with representatives from the diaspora.
The High Commissioner emphasized that the revival of Tamil, one of the oldest classical languages globally, is critical for preserving cultural heritage and enhancing understanding among communities. With over 80 million speakers worldwide, Tamil represents a rich linguistic tradition.
In a positive twist, this program is expected to strengthen ties between India and Fiji, while promoting cultural appreciation. Secretary-General of TISI Sangam, Gyaneshwar Rao, expressed gratitude to India for its role in revitalizing the language. Additionally, students at Penang Sangam participated in an interactive flash quiz as part of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest organized by the High Commission of India.
In summary, the introduction of Tamil language classes in Fiji marks a significant cultural milestone, revitalizing a historical linguistic heritage while fostering community bonds and cross-cultural understanding.
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