Hindi boffins to study new levels in India
THE Hindu language has long fascinated Sushmita Budhayee and Aradhna Ramballi. Now they’ve got scholarships for a language proficiency diploma course at Agra University in India.
The only two students selected from South Africa, they will do four Hindi courses at varying levels.
Budhayee, 22, is also studying for a Bachelor of Education through Unisa.
She has loved Hindi since childhood and would rather learn it while others played. She hopes to use the opportunity to achieve her goals.
“I’m looking forward to the written section of Hindi because that’s my weakness. So this is my chance to strengthen that,” she said. “I hope to be able to understand and interpret Hindi at an advanced level. I want to use my talent and knowledge to inspire others to follow the path of their religion and culture so we can keep it alive. I have a few things in mind to unite youth of Hindu faith.
“But now I’ll have to put it on hold. Maybe I’m being given more time to get more ideas which will appeal to the youth.”
Ramballi’s love for the language was cultivated at a young age when she attended Hindi classes and enjoyed listening to Bollywood movies and songs.
“I attended Hindi school in Isipingo to learn more and Aradhna Ramballi, above, and Sushmita Budhayee, right, have secured scholarships to study Hindu at Agra University, in India. understand the meaning of the songs and movies so that I could appreciate them,” she said.
The 31-year old newsreader at Hindvani has a degree in human resources but says she has always wanted to broaden her knowledge of Hindu language, culture and traditions.
“I have an affinity for India. With the country the homeland of our ancestors and as we are Indians living in South Africa, India remains an inspiration for our culture, tradition and language,” she said.
“We look to India for guidance regarding these aspects of our lives, and it has been a dream of mine to live there and experience the lifestyle of the true India.”
They will leave in August and it will take them eight months to complete the programmes.