Tel Aviv: India enthusiasts at Tel Aviv University observed International Hindi Day and dedicated the occasion to Mahatma Gandhi for promoting the language as a binding force during India's national movement.

Third year students of the university staged a Hindi short play about Kasturba questioning Bapu for his emphasis on development of Hindi as a national language, its nature, and various complexities involved in the process.

The students, playing the role of Gandhi, used Bapu's quotations to answer these questions and highlighted his vision of Hindi as a national language.

Speaking on the occasion, Head of Indian studies department at Hebrew University Yohanan Grinshpon, who has published books and articles on Gandhi and made his teachings popular through a popular Radio programme, said "Mahatma's teachings are today more relevant than ever before."

"As the world is becoming a global village, Gandhi's philosophy on universal unity is more relevant and people across the world seem to be realising it," he said.
Indian Ambassador to Israel, Arun Kumar Singh appreciated the role of Indian studies departments at various Israeli universities in promoting Hindi. He also praised the efforts made by a Hindi teacher, Genady Shlomper, in popularising the language in the country.

"Hindi s growing popularity is clearly reflected by the successful introduction of third year studies at universities last year and an even better response for it this year. I congratulate all those who have worked towards promoting Hindi in Israel," he said.

Source : PTI