Chinese students studying Hindi

They are completing diplomas, getting Ph.Ds

The Chinese have developed an affinity for one of India’s official languages, what with scores of students from across the border completing diplomas and even Ph.Ds in Hindi linguistics and literature from the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwa-vidyalaya (MGAHV) in Wardha district.

Speaking to The Asian Age on Tuesday, MGAHV joint registrar (academic) Kader Nawaj Khan said that Chinese and other foreign students were regularly completing Hindi courses from the varsity. “During this academic year, 15 Chinese students have enrolled for the diploma in Hindi language course. The duration of this course is one year and students are learning how to read, write and speak Hindi,” he said. Of the 15, 12 are girls and three boys. Further, two Chinese students are studying for their doctorate in Hindi sahitya and Hindi linguistics. Among other foreign students, one student from Hungary is pursuing his Ph.D. in Hindi sahitya while two students from Sri Lanka are pursuing Ph.D in Hindi sahitya and Hindi linguistics.

The Chinese fixation with India is not limited to just learning Hindi, it extends to students adopting names of Bollywood celebrities like Rekha, Khushboo, Savita, Chandni and Rahul, to name a few.

Assistant professor, Chinese, Anirban Ghosh, said that the students loved Bollywood films and had come to India after completing a two-year Hindi course in China. He said the students were from assorted varsities.

China’s renewed interest in “Hindia” could be attributed to India’s new friendship with its neighbour. Not so long ago, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping visited India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited China which helped open up more business opportunities between the two countries.

MGAHV student Lu Shu Yu lavished praise on Indian culture and tradition saying, “India has a long history and great heritage. So does my country. To understand it, I must know the local language, so I am studying Hindi,” said Mr Yu.