ICCR and Gulf University for science and technology sign MoU to establish Hindi chair
- In Reports
- 10:50 AM, Sep 13, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant move to promote Indian culture and language, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) to set up the ICCR’s Chair of Indian Studies at the Kuwaiti institution. The agreement, finalised on Thursday, will see the appointment of an Indian academic expert to teach Hindi at GUST for a period of up to three years.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Adarsh Swaika, India’s Ambassador to Kuwait, and Prof. Bassam Alameddine, President of GUST. This initiative is a notable milestone as it represents the first Chair of Indian Studies established by ICCR in Kuwait. The introduction of this position underscores a commitment to expanding the reach of Indian culture and language in the region.
Hindi, the third most spoken language globally with over 600 million speakers, plays a crucial role in connecting the Indian diaspora across various countries. Apart from India, Hindi is widely spoken in nations such as Mauritius, Fiji, Nepal, and Trinidad & Tobago. The international importance of Hindi was recognised by the United Nations, which launched Hindi social media platforms and a dedicated Hindi website in 2018.
The establishment of the Hindi Chair at GUST is part of a broader effort to enhance the presence of Hindi in the Gulf region. A similar initiative was previously launched in Oman in December 2023, marking the first Hindi language Chair in the Gulf. Additionally, a weekly Hindi radio broadcast was introduced on Kuwait Radio in April 2024. These efforts highlight the growing prominence of Hindi and the active role of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, reflecting a deepening cultural exchange between India and the Gulf region.
Image source: ANI
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