• Honorable Members of the Delegation of the Government of India;
• Excellencies;
• Distinguished Delegates and Representatives;
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

 
Ni sa Bula vinaka and Namaste! It gives me great pleasure to join you this morning, at the 12^th World Hindi Conference, the first such Conference for Fiji to host. I wish to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this Conference is being hosted – the Vanua o Nadi, and I pay my respects to their Elders past and present. 
 
On behalf of the Government and the people of Fiji, I extend my warmest welcome to you, our distinguished delegates and guests, who have travelled far to attend this important Forum, convened for the first time in Fiji, the Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere. 
 
At the outset, I acknowledge the efforts of the Government of India in co-hosting with the Government of Fiji, this important Conference.This forum presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the enduring strength of the historical and special relationship, Fiji shares with India.  Our relationship can be traced back to our shared colonial heritage. As a result of evolving colonial policies on economic development between 1879 and 1916, around 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji, under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. 
 
With the abolition of the indenture system in 1920, some have chosen to remain in Fiji, whilst others returned to India. Those that have stayed in Fiji now call Fiji their home, and have contributed immensely towards the socio-economic development of modern Fiji.  Presently, Fiji’s population comprises of 62% iTaukei people, 34.2% Fijians of Indian descent and 3.8 % of other races.
 
Our cultural diversity has presented us with the privilege to hear and learn many languages spoken in Fiji, experience fascinating festivals and religious events throughout the year, listen to a variety of music, enjoy different culinary experiences, and witness unique cultural rites of passage accorded by different ethnic communities that make-up Fiji. When it comes to entertainment, Bollywood movies are a favourite. Fijians love to watch Bollywood films accompanied by singalongs, laughter and dance. 
 
Hindi is one of the three official languages in Fiji. The other two languages are iTaukei (indigenous) and English.  Hindi that is spoken in Fiji, is commonly known as Fiji-Hindi or Fiji Baat, which is derived from varieties of Hindi that were used by indentured labourers during the indentured system era which varies from the traditional Hindi, spoken in India.  Hindi vernacular is a mandated subject for the students in Fiji’s primary schools and optional in secondary and tertiary levels. More recently, Hindi and the iTaukei (Indigenous) language translation has been re-introduced into Parliament sessions. 
 
This years’ World Hindi Conference is appropriate, given that the United Nations has recognised this decade (2022-2032) as the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages. As one of the top five most spoken languages in the world, the efforts by the Government of India for the promotion of Hindi at the international level, and to get Hindi recognised as an official UN language – is commendable. Language plays a pivotal role in preserving culture as it establish a distinctive linguistic identity that brings a feeling of belonging, mutual respect, and trust in each other. 
 
Many of the distinguished participants to this Conference are members of diasporas that live outside India, with cultural links to India. They are testament to the fact that Hindi spoken outside of India is a motivation to keep their cultural roots alive.  Importantly, the interest of future generations, in their ancestral home, depends on the type of linguistic heredity passed on to them.  

Excellencies, the theme of this years’ Conference “Hindi-Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence” speaks to the importance of preserving culture and language to adapt to the realities of the 21^st Century.   In 2022, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) projected that around 3,000 languages could disappear before the end of the century.Most languages become endangered or are lost for various reasons. Some speakers have disappeared or shifted to another language – usually the main language of a dominant group.  The loss and endangerment of language has been attributed to advances in modern technology, however modern technology and Artificial intelligence (AI), if used constructively, plays a pivotal role in preserving, advancing multilingualism, and supporting the diversity of languages.
 
Artificial intelligence, through various forms, can facilitate both the preservation of endangered languages and the deciphering of ancient texts in extinct languages.This century is experiencing a technology, artificial intelligence and social media revolution, and it is an opportunity to reinforce our development rather than as a barrier.   The preservation of our language must be a “whole of society” approach. As Government sets the policy direction, we rely on our partners in the civil societies, communities, families, religious groups and schools to work collaboratively to preserve our language, our diversity and our culture. 
 
Excellencies, the three days programme will be very fruitful and productive with an interesting agenda. I am confident that you will have much to discuss on the theme of “Hindi-Traditional knowledge to Artificial Intelligence”, in the hope that we will develop a partnership on common issues of priority and lessons to learn from past experiences in our countries. 
 
Distinguished participants, I wish you well in your stay in Fiji and I hope that you will enjoy the Fijian hospitality, the diversity of our culture and language, and that you will create lasting memories. 
 
I now have much pleasure in declaring the 12^th World Hindi Conference, officially open. 
 
May the Almighty bless us all!
 
Vinaka vakalevu, Thank You, Shukriya and Dhanyavaad.