Raj would always dream of the day she visits India

It all started when she was young.

Ranjini Raj would  dream all day about visiting India one day.

It was then she set her goals of living her dream.

When will she live her dream? As soon as she started earning, at least she thought.

Now at the age of 23, her dream became a reality, sooner than she had hoped.

The Bachelors of Arts Graduate Certificate in Education student at the University of the South Pacific won a trip to India during the Hindi Day celebrations at the university last month.

This was after the Indian High Commission organised an essay competition on Girmit in a bid to promote Hindi language in Fiji and to celebrate Hindi Day.

The prize, a 25-day trip to India and Ms Raj won it.

“I am so excited that my dream to visit India has become a reality.

“I am so thankful to the Indian High Commission,” Ms Raj said.

Ms Raj said she always wished India would be the first country she would like to visit.

She had been learning Hindi since childhood.

She has been promoting Hindi language in her community and participated in Hindi competitions every year.

She attended Vashist Muni Memorial Primary School, Navua, where she first took up Hindi.

She learned it throughout her primary and secondary school years.

“I did not expect to win this Hindi essay competition.

“I wrote my essay at the very last minute because I have six assignments to complete,” she said.

Ms Raj said she was really shocked when she received a call that she had won the first prize.

“Better yet a trip to India,” she said.

Her dream finally became a reality.

She is expected to leave for India in November after her final exams.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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