The 10th World Hindi Conference in Bhopal concluded on Saturday with recommendations and resolutions to make Hindi stronger within the country and outside. An interview summarizing the whole event with vice-president of the organizing committee, Anil Madhav Dave.
How successful was the event?
I think that this conference has achieved its objectives and it started with the state hosting the show. Madhya Pradesh government has accepted and started to use Hindi in administration and other government business. I am confident that other states would follow suit.
How was this conference different from previous conferences?
I won't call it different from other Hindi summits. Rather it is in continuation of those conferences. They (Organisers of previous conferences) did what seemed correct to them. It is not our culture to criticise the people who have contributed through previous summits. Through this conference we have set the agenda for the future of Hindi.
What do we expect from the governments (state and central) towards promotion of Hindi from now onward?
First thing we have to do is to strengthen Hindi and develop a vast vocabulary. The process of finding appropriate Hindi words should be completed fast. Government and administration should use Hindi in their work. Easy words and terms should be coined that can be used in administrative business.
Don't you think that the programme was organised in haphazard manner? Organisers forgot to light the inaugural lamp and finish the programme with national anthem?
First thing we have to do is to strengthen Hindi and develop a vast vocabulary. The process of finding appropriate Hindi words should be completed fast. Government and administration should use Hindi in their work. Easy words and terms should be coined that can be used in administrative business.
Don't you think that the programme was organised in haphazard manner? Organisers forgot to light the inaugural lamp and finish the programme with national anthem?
Each and every thing designed for the programme has been done after due deliberations. For those who are talking of lighting of the lamp, I want to tell them that lightening of lamp has been done away with from PM's programme for security reasons. National anthem is recited at the end of valedictory function and not at the beginning.
Do you think unnecessary controversy could have been avoided on non-participation of litterateurs?
This programme was not organised by an individual. It was a programme dedicated to Hindi and I think all Hindi lovers should have volunteered and come forward by themselves. It isn't good to see the conference with a biased approach.
But entry to the programme was allowed through passes only?
Thousands of people are coming every day. I don't know how people are calling it a closed programme.
Was it a mistake to involve party (BJP) cadre too much in the programme?
Whom should we ask to do work? Obviously those who are ready to work would be asked. Party workers offered their voluntary services. They are a dedicated lot, who work without any expectation throughout night and day. About 200 party workers gave their contribution in this event.