विनय निगम

भारत, भारतीयता और भारतीय -भाषा के सजग सिपाही - विनय निगम

विनय निगम

 भारत के बाहर भारतीयों की और उनमें भी युवाओं की एक बड़ी जमात है, जो रहती तो  विदेश में है लेकिन जिनका दिल धड़कता है भारत के लिए। भले ही शिक्षा और रोजगार  या बेहतर भविष्य के चलते वे विदेश में रहते हों लेकिन वतन से दूर रहकर भी वे सदैव  वतन के सजग सिपाही की तरह खड़े दिखाई देते हैं। वे भारत की एक बड़ी पूंजी और  बड़ी ताकत हैं, जिसे स्वयं भारत के प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्द्र मोदी ने भी जाना, पहचाना और  माना है।

 इसी वर्ग में एक नाम है - ' विनय निगम' । विनय जो भारतीय नौसेना के सेवानिवृत्त  सैन्य अधिकारी और साहित्यकार माता शील निगम के पुत्र हैं। पिता  कमांडर पी.डी.  निगम (सेवानिवृत्त) भारतीय नौसेना  में थे और माँ  शील निगम  हिंदी की कवयित्री,  कहानीकार तथा स्क्रिप्ट लेखिका व हिंदी शिक्षिका हैं। उन्होंने मुंबई में  दस वर्षों तक  हिंदी अध्यापन किया और 15 वर्ष प्रधानाचार्या के पद पर रहीं । इसके अतिरिक्त    दूरदर्शन,  आकाशवाणी आदि पर उनकी कहानियों का प्रसारण होता रहा है और देश-  विदेश की हिंदी की पत्र -पत्रिकाओं,पुस्तकों तथा ई पत्रिकाओं में भी उनकी कविताएं  तथा कहानियाँ प्रकाशित होती रही हैं।  । इस प्रकार राष्ट्र-प्रेम और राष्ट्रभाषा-प्रेम तो विनय निगम को  घुट्टी में मिला है। 

विनय निगम की माँ, हिंदी शिक्षिका व साहित्यकार शील निगम

 विनय निगम ऑस्ट्रेलिया के मेलबोर्न शहर में बसे विनय वित्तीय सेवाओं, उच्च शिक्षा, व्यावसायिक शिक्षा तथा प्रशिक्षण के कार्यों से जुड़े हैं । उन्होंने अपने पद के दायित्वों को निभाते हुए अपने  राष्ट्र व राष्ट्र भाषा - प्रेम  को कभी बिसराया नहीं । 2013 में जब ऑस्ट्रेलिया में यह विचार-विमर्श किया जा रहा था कि ऑस्ट्रेलिया में हिंदी क्यों नहीं पढ़ाई जानी चाहिए । ऑस्ट्रेलिया सरकार के विदेश एवं व्यापार विभाग ( Department of Foreign Affairs & trade, Govt. of Australia) ने "Australia in Asian Century Country strategies." विषय पर परामर्श आमंत्रित किए थे। इनमें एक विषय यह भी था कि ऑस्ट्रेलिया में हिंदी को बढ़ावा दिया जाए या नहीं ? (Whether to promote Hindi in Australia) तब उन्होंने भारत-ऑस्ट्रेलिया संबंधों में हिंदी के महत्व को आधार बना कर ‘Consultations on the Australia in the Asian Century Country Strategies’  में मेलबोर्न में निम्नलिखित लेख को ऑस्ट्रेलिया सरकार के विदेश एवं व्यापार विभाग में प्रस्तुत किया । अंतत: सरकार ने उनके व उनके साथियों के दृष्टिकोण को स्वीकारते हुए ऑस्ट्रेलिया में हिंदी शिक्षण के लिए अधिक धनराशि उपलब्ध करवाने पर गंभीरता से विचार किया। इस प्रकार भारत के सुपूतों  ने अपनी तत्परता और सजगता से ऑस्ट्रेलिया में हिंदी की जंग को जीत लिया। प्रस्तुत है विनय निगम का वह लेख ।- डॉ. एम.एल. गुप्ता 'आदित्य' (वैश्विक हिंदी सम्मेलन)

A case for Hindi in the context of Australian-Indian ties

Hindi is widely considered to be the third most spoken language in the world. It is the official language of India, the second largest populated country in the world and an emerging globally-integrated economy.

Like any other major language in the world, to learn Hindi is a requirement that most people who want to engage with India, must consider seriously. The emergence of India as a hub for global companies seems to be attracting more and more foreigners into learning the language.

While conducting business in English is largely the norm in metropolitan India, a working knowledge of Hindi helps to understand the cultural mores. Using local greetings and terms like Namaste (hello) and shukriya (thank you) help in adding a friendly touch to professional conversations.

There is an immediate endearing feeling when a foreigner greets you with namaste and the traditional folded hands. The social dividend from such acts is unquantifiable but certainly significant.

Indian Culture

For a country whose cultural heritage dates back to several thousands of years, India and its culture is worth experiencing again and again. Every year, numerous Australian tourists visit India. Their numbers are only increasing. The ability to speak and understand Hindi expands the opportunity to enjoy Indian culture and its people.

The world is now starting to appreciate Hindi (Bollywood) films and learning the language presents an opportunity to participate in the multi-billion dollar Bollywood industry, from filmmaking, editing, technology to advertising and marketing. With over 1000 films produced each year, Bollywood’s revenue is expected to reach A$ 4.5 bn. by 2016.

Additionally, non-resident Indians who live in Australia all want their children to understand India, its culture and its people and the first step would be to study the Hindi language.

Business Opportunities

In the last decade, the global demand to speak and write Hindi grew by about 50%. This demand came from people who want to engage in business in the country, some in the translation business, and some for jobs in India and abroad with Indian connections.

During the last two decades, India has had a remarkable growth journey and emerged as an economic giant in its neighborhood. Global investors too have taken notice and foreign direct investment in the country has grown in leaps and bounds. Multi-national corporations who have entered the market in India are actively hiring people who speak Hindi.

They have understood the importance of having a working knowledge of Hindi and being familiar with Indian culture in order to be effective marketers of their products to the Hindi-speaking markets. These are the Tier-2 cities and towns where English is not the language of business.There is a strong need for businesses to be able to communicate in the local language in the plethora of diverse markets that make up India. This helps build friendship, trust, and long-term relationships.Multi-national businesses can gain an edge over their competitors by embedding Hindi in their culture. They develop a better understanding of the culture garnered from learning and using the language.

Proficiency in Hindi can, at times, mean the difference between business success and failure. Skills in Hindi are also sought-after in business communication, contract negotiations, and presentation delivery and interviewing.For an Australian business, there is a definite edge in having linguistically proficient personnel who can build and maintain relationships with their local counterparts, particularly in Tier-2 metro cities of India.

As Australian business representatives become more confident in the Hindi language, so do their abilities to identify opportunities for their parent companies regarding expansion and other business prospects. But in all these, the first step is, of course, to learn Hindi. A number of foreign research scholars and people working with NGOs and UN agencies in India also learn Hindi as their field work requires them to interact with locals.Multinational companies which have been opening their offices in India encourage their officials to learn Hindi for better business results and connection with their Indian clients.

Immigrant Integration

Promoting Hindi in Australian schools and private education institutions will have its own positive impact on helping new Indian immigrants integrate with Australian society. That in turn, will contribute positively to social harmony and further enrich our multicultural diversity.

In view of the simple yet powerful implications of incorporating the option of Hindi in Australian schools curricula as a second language as well as promoting its learning and use in Australian-Indian business forums, I strongly support all financial and non-financial incentives from both the government and private sectors.

Vinay Nigam

(Email) vinaynigam@outlook.com

The author of this submission is an Australian citizen of Indian descent. He is a practicing professional in the Financial Services, Higher Education, and Vocational Education & Training sectors.

प्रस्तुत कर्ता : संपत देवी मुरारका 

संपत देवी मुरारका

अध्यक्षा, विश्व वात्सल्य मंच

लेखिका यात्रा विवरण

मीडिया प्रभारी

हैदराबाद