Universality of Hindi bridges linguistic gaps, says Nagaland Governor

DIMAPUR — Nagaland Governor La Ganesan on Thursday emphasised on the importance of Hindi not only as a language, but a common thread that binds diverse parts of the country together.

Maintaining that languages are not solely tools for communication, but are also carriers of culture, tradition, history and identity, the governor reminded that the universality of Hindi often bridges these linguistic gaps, fostering a sense of unity amidst diversity.

Ganesan was addressing the two-day national seminar on status of Hindi teaching in North-East India with reference to Nagaland, at the lecture hall, Department of English, Nagaland University (NU), Kohima campus, PRO Raj Bhanav stated in an update.

The seminar was jointly organised by NU Kohima campus and Central Institute of Hindi, Agra.

The governor, who is also the chief rector of NU, however insisted that “while we advocate for the cultivation of Hindi language in Nagaland, it is not to supplant the rich cultural languages of Nagaland, but to serve as a bridge to connect with the rest of India.”

Ganesan also said that education is supreme for the proper development of human values, the realisation of the imagination of the mind, the building of a healthy society and a prosperous and powerful nation.

Recalling India’s rich educational tradition, he said that India has been illuminating the world with the light of knowledge for thousands of years.

He went on to say that India’s great intellectual tradition and educational system has produced many great scholars, who made original contributions to the world of astronomy, mathematics, medical sciences, grammar, philosophy, yoga, engineering, architecture, building construction, etc. in their own languages.

Sadly, the glorious educational system of the ancient India was destroyed on account of many historical and political reasons, he said.

The governor however reminded that the new National Education Policy (NEP) was implemented in 2020, to regain the country’s former glory “with focus on education in our mother tongues and the local languages.”

Chancellor of NU, Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, in his speech, highlighted the importance of Hindi and the need to promote Hindi language with optimism.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik also spoke on the growth of Hindi in all parts of the state, and urged the people take keen interest of the language.

Dean of School of Humanities and Education, Kohima campus, Prof. Buno Zetsuvi, informed said that 12 PhD scholars including four Nagas are pursuing their degree under NU.

The two-day seminar saw the participation of various researchers and scholars from the various institutions of the country.  

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