Hindi Day celebrated in Bogota

On 14 September 2010 Embassy of India, in collaboration with   “Asociación Amigos de India-Colombia” and “Corporación Universitaria UNITEC”, celebrated the “Hindi Day” at the “Auditorio Fundadores” with the participation of students, teachers and general public. A total of 300 people attended the different conferences and activities executed during the day. Hindi was declared the official language unanimously by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 14 September 1949. The objective of organizing  “Hindi Day” was to create awareness and interest of Hindi language in Colombia and inform about role of Hindi in art, culture, cinema, communication and business.

The “Hindi Day” was inaugurated by Dr. Fernando Parra, Chancellor of UNITEC University and Shri V. S. Ramalingam, Charge d`Affairs of the Embassy of India in Colombia, followed by a conference “Hindi and its role in business” by Dr. Sumit Seth., Second Secretary. The audience was informed by the role of Hindi in doing business with India, they were also taught some basic hindi phrases which were well appreciated . The morning session ended with a Hindi poetry recitation by Mrs. Anandita Basu, an Indian performing artist, which was then translated into spanish for the public.

The second part of the day began with the screening of a Hindi movie. Simultanously, two workshops and a conference took place. There was a workshop on “Hindi, Dance and Cinema in India” by Mrs. Vanessa Vanegas, where she demonstrated the interaction within the language, expressions and a storyline.  Another workshop on “Hindi Callygraphy” was conducted by Mrs. Rochelle Miranda, an Indian graphic designer. In this workshop she taught the Indian Devnagari Script and how to use its alphabets in graceful compositions.

Simultaneously in the main auditorium there was a conference by Mr. Cristhian Salamanca, President of “Asociación Amigos de India”, on “Hindi and the cultural ettiquette in India”. During his conference he explained the cultural differences between Colombia and India and how language influences cultural behavior. The event closed with three dance presentations which included a Kuchipudi dance, by Ms. Priya Devi Dasi, a Bhangra dance by Ms. Giovanna Cortés and a Bollywood dance by Ms. Marcela Londoño. 

The celebration of “Hindi Day” was a success, as the public here in Bogotá were exposed to Hindi by different medias and subjects. People were very motivated and intrigued by the Hindi language. Many expressed their urged to learn the language through a survey conducted during the event.

 
Official poster of the event.


Shri V.S. Ramalingam, Counsellor of the Embassy addresses the audience.

Dr. Sumit Seth, Second Secretary of the Embassy, during his conference.

Workshops were a total success.

Snap of the Indian Callygraphy workshop.

Mrs. Marcela Londoño performed Bollywood Dance.