Convention to Attract Hindi Lovers from Across US

HOUSTON: Hindi lovers from all over the United States will gather in Houston on the Labor Day weekend to discuss ways to popularize Hindi, India’s national language, among younger generations in order to keep them closer to their cultural roots.

Delegates from the East Coast and the West Coast have already registered for the 16th National Hindi Convention, hosted by the Houston Chapter of the International Hindi Association, on August 30-31 at VPSS Haveli. Moreover, a large number of people from Houston and other Texas cities are expected to attend the event.

Besides several meaningful programs and workshops, the convention will offer a variety of entertainment to participants. The highlights are a musical performance by Rekha Surya, a well-known singer from the Lucknow Gharana on August 30. A Hasya Kavi Sammelan will be held the next day in which several famous poets are taking part. These include Gajendra Solanki, Archana Panda and Abhinav Shukla.

Several dignitaries, including University of Houston Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator and her husband Dr. Suresh Khator, will attend the convention.

The International Hindi Association or ‘Antarashtriya Hindi Samiti’ was established in 1980 in the United States for promotion of Hindi language and literature among Indian diaspora spread all over the world. The organization aims to foster Indian heritage among younger generations and wants to ensure that they not only read and speak Hindi but also understand its rich literary tradition. The non-religious, non-political, and non-profit lingo-cultural organization is run entirely by volunteers with the support and patronage from its growing membership worldwide.

The association organizes Hindi classes, youth camps, poetry recitals, literary symposiums and publications promote and inculcate human values inherent in the Indian culture.

The annual and biennial IHA conventions have been instrumental in getting the message to public at large.

The convention will begin on Friday, August 30, at VPSS Haveli, 11715 Bellfort Village Dr, at 6.30 pm with inauguration speeches by IHA President Sushila Mohanka and other dignitaries. The three-day convention programs include Hindi typing on computers, Khel khel mein Hindi, How to make Hindi popular?, Poetry writing in Hindi, Ram Ek- Naam anek , Influence of Bollywood on Hindi, Shabd Manjusha, Kaun Banega Bharat Gyani, Word Game and Antakshari.

The IHA working committee for the convention comprises of Sangeeta Pasrija as the President and Swapan Dhairyawan as the Vice President, Rajiv Bhavsar is the Treasurer and Rafi Ansar and Sanjay Sohoni are Joint Secretaries. Other Committee members are Abha Dwivedi, Dinesh Singhal, Fatehali Chatur, Hari Kewalramani, Nisha Mirani, Saroj Gupta, KD Upadhyaya, Om Gupta, Meera Kapur, Vijay Pallod, Ashish Thapliyal, Nausha Asrar and Sangita Bhutada.

For further information call Swapan 281-3820348 and Sanjay 281-9439758 or visit www.hindi.org