Tamil language teaching returns to Fiji after 80 years
The agreement was made after the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Fiji last February for the 12th World Hindi Conference after meeting Fiji’s diaspora representatives.
Saturday 30 November 2024 | 12:23
High Commissioner of India Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan. Photo: Ronald Kumar
The teaching of the Tamil language in Fiji schools returns after 80 years.
This was revealed on Wednesday at Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki by the High Commissioner of India, Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan during the launch of the government of India-funded Tamil language teaching programme.
Two Tamil teachers from India were posted to the school and Sangam Primary School in Labasa to teach Tamil language classes to students and interested community members.
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Mr Karthigeyan said the revival of the language, one of the oldest classical languages in the world which has been a demand for a long time from members of the Fiji Indian community.
This is especially from the descendants of Girmitiyas who came to Fiji from present-day Tamil Nadu in the early 20th century.
“This programme is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Government of Fiji and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, a major diaspora community organisation in Fiji,” Mr Karthigeyan said.
The agreement was made after the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Fiji last February for the 12th World Hindi Conference after meeting Fiji’s diaspora representatives.
“Thanks to this initiative, the Tamil language, which had almost disappeared in Fiji, will be taught again in the country after about 80 years.”
Mr Karthigeyan said a language was important in preserving and shaping culture and fostering greater understanding between communities.
He highlighted the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of Tamil, a vibrant global language spoken by more than 80 million people and encouraged the people of Fiji to learn the language.
Mr Karthigeyan hopes that the initiative would strengthen the bond between India and Fiji.
TISI Sangam secretary-general Gyaneshwar Rao thanked India for its assistance in reviving the language in Fiji.
Meanwhile, Penang Sangam school students participated in a flash quiz organised by the High Commission of India in Fiji under the ongoing Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest.
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