Growing up in Australia can be a challenging experience for migrant communities. It is inherently more so for children hailing from regions outside of what we consider as “Western Civilisation”. Australia being a product of Western Civilisation naturally provides the centre position to Western Society, its culture and its history. As a minority not seeing your own reflection in the mainstream discourse and general social/historical apparatus can be daunting. It can also lead to low self-esteem where individuals may end up engaging in harmful activities. This does become more prevalent in the second generation of migrants children generally.
It is possible to safeguard against such ailments by giving migrant children a strong sense of identity through knowledge and practice of their own culture, religion and other such practices while still fitting in with the Australia society.
In this regard language is a crucial factor as it is the gateway to one’s culture, where without language only a translated form of “following” can take place.
As Indian’s the Hindi Language also provides the avenue to understand the Epic Books of India whether it being the Mahabharat, Ramayana or Gita. These books provide insight into the foundation of the Hindu Civilisation that was once the Centre of the World and gave rise to the World’s first University, first Universal Religion and it’s greatest Kings. It’s roots and it’s influence on the Global Civilisation can be understood from these books and can be derived with greater authenticity by understanding one of it’s great languages.
In relation to the Indian spirituality there is no doubt to truly understand it’s message one really must know it’s language. The rhythm and feel of the faith, it’s nuances and it’s subtle meanings can only ever really be understood by it’s language in entirety. When you attend a spiritual or cultural ceremony, how much will your children understand is up to how much of the language they can understand.
In order to follow the spiritual/cultural path through the generations in Australia, knowing the language of the faith is paramount.
We hope that those reading this can understand the wide range of benefits that the Hindi Language can provide your children and will educate their Children in Hindi for the benefits for not just present generation but also for the future generations.