World Hindi Secretariat council considers setting up HQ at Phoenix, Mauritius

The Governing Council of World Hindi Secretariat (WHS) held its second meeting on the promotion of Hindi as an international language at Domaine Les Pailles on Monday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Indian minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and minister of Education Vasant Bunwaree. Discussions centred on emerging issues such as the construction of the WHS headquarters at Phoenix.

Other eminent personalities were also present, including minister of Foreign Affairs Arvin Boolell, minister of Arts and Culture Mookhesswur Choonee and Indian high commissioner Madhusudan Ganapathi.

The WHS building is gradually taking shape and the construction work is expected to be over in about 18 months.

Necessary measures are being undertaken by the Indian government to ensure that the project is completed as soon as possible. The construction of the building is being financed by the Indian government on a plot of land donated by the government of Mauritius.

“This joint venture is an example of the close ties and excellent bilateral relationship between Mauritius and India,” said Bunwaree.

Bunwaree stressed that the idea for setting up a World Hindi Centre in Mauritius came up during the World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur, India, in January 1975. It was put forward by late Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.

“We are convinced that India will soon secure a seat as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to reflect its status as an emerging global power,” the minister added.

Kaur said she was very pleased that the bilateral relations between Mauritius and India are further being strengthened. She stressed that cultural heritage can be upheld through preservation of the language.

“Fruitful ideas have been put forward during the meeting. The executive board’s powers have also been approved so that work can be carried out in a quicker manner,” said Kaur.

Although it has been slow to take off mainly due to administrative hurdles, the WHS will be empowered to make the decision making process less cumbersome. Several recommendations, including the creation of a website in English and Hindi, have emerged from the meeting.