Pundit warns Hindi could decline without youth action

An Arya Samaj priest has warned that Hindi could face a serious decline in Vanua Levu unless young people make an effort to preserve their mother tongue.

Speaking at the Vanua Levu Arya Samaj Convention at the Guru Birja Nand Central Arya Temple in Namara yesterday, Labasa, Pundit Samadarsana Rao said many youths were becoming increasingly disconnected from their language, weakening their cultural and spiritual ties.

He urged the younger generation to actively use and learn Hindi, saying it remains vital for maintaining their identity and understanding Vedic teachings.

“Hindi is not only a medium of communication. It is a vessel carrying centuries of Vedic knowledge,” he said. “Youths must embrace Hindi to keep our culture alive.”

Pundit Rao highlighted Vedic concepts to motivate attendees, including Sanskriti (culture), which he said guides the practices and traditions passed down by forefathers, and Vedic Dharma (righteous living), which supports ethical and communal conduct.

He encouraged Arya Samaj mandalis to organise more cultural and language-focused activities such as reading circles, Hindi debates and scriptural discussions to engage younger members.

Pundit Rao also urged families to nurture the language at home.

“Families should nurture Hindi at home and ensure children are taught its script, pronunciation and vocabulary from an early age,” he said.

He added that early exposure was key to sustaining cultural identity.