The World Hindi Day was celebrated yesterday, the 10 th Jan. 2016 from 1800-2130hrs at Music Hall, Chulalongkorn University with a great zeal and enthusiasm. The program was conducted in association with Faculty of Arts and Indian Studies Centre of Chulalongkorn University, Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge and Thailand Hindi Parishad.

The program was well attended and applauded by about 250 people. This consisted of Shri Ramu Abbagani, Deputy Chief of Mission as the Chief Guest, Mr. Naresh Shandiliya, the famous poet and writer from India and Dr. Kingkarn Thepkanjana, Dean of Faculty of Arts as distinguished guests. Apart from that the audience included people from Embassy of India, various Thai universities, Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge, Thai Bharat Hindi Parishad, various health centres and local Indian Communities and Companies and Business Centres.

The program commenced with the playing of National Anthems of Thailand and India followed by Thai Royal Song. Special homage was paid to the departed soul of the King Bumibol Adulyadej by observing a 90 second silence. Deputy Chief of Mission Read out the message from the Prime Minister of India on World Hindi Day. In the message the Prime Minister had felicitated everyone on the occasion and encouraged people to actively promote and promulgate Hindi language. This was followed by message from Dean of Faculty of Arts from Chulalongkorn University. She was very happy to have the celebrations done at their University and highlighted the significance of Hindi and how it is enhancing the good relations between Thailand and India. After that a book – ‘Valmiki Ramayan and Ramakirti – A comparative Account’ in Hindi written by Dr. Karuna Sharma, Hindi Chair at Thammasat University and a second volume of ‘Sandesh’ Maazine published by Thai Bharat Hindi Parishad were also launched.

The brief messages were followed by cultural programs performed by 40 participants. Most of the participants were Thai speaking students who were learning Hindi at the Universities mentioned above. These students performed wonderfully, entirely in Hindi. Their programs consisted of recitation of poetries, reading of stories, acting in plays, speeches on India and singing of Hindi songs with their beautiful voices. Their program was followed by poetic recitations of members of Indian Community and the poet Mr. Naresh Shandiliya. Though the program lasted for three and a half hours as it included translation into Thai language also, the audience was enthralled by the stunning performance of the Thai students.

At the end of the program, gifts and Incredible India Caps were distributed to all the participants by Mr. K. G. Praveen Kumar, Counsellor, Embassy of India, Bangkok, Prof. Chirapat Prapandiya from Silpakorn University, Prof. Charnvit from Chulalongkorn University and Prof. Mano M. Laohavanich from Thammasat University. About 600 Hindi books were donated to the participants and guests who attended the program.

While the program was compered in Hindi by Mrs Pushpa Kumar, Attache, Embassy of India, it was translated into Thai by Mr. Kittipong Boonkerd, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. The celebration ended with the dinner for all.