AN Izinga Ridge resident is using her platform as a teacher to spread her passion and promote the use of the Hindi language at her school.
Pundita Tara Devi Sirkisson runs the Hindi Vidya Patshala, an affiliate school of the Hindi Shiksha Sangh (HSS) which is aimed at the nurturing the Hindi language in South Africa.

Sirkisson holds Hindi classes at the Umhlanga Hindu Society four times a week and said her goal is to get her students, both young and old to the highest level of Hindi she can.

She also hopes to improve the literacy of the students.

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“There are six different levels starting with the first level, Prathma and going upwards. I’ve been learning and teaching Hindi since my days at university. I was saddened by how many people weren’t able to read or write Hindi and that made me want to make a difference by nurturing and promoting the language,” she said.

Northglen News recently interviewed four of Sirkisson’s top students who spoke about the impact learning Hindi has had on them.

“There were very few people in my time learning Hindi and though I had opportunities to learn the language, I felt English was more important. It’s as I got older I realised the importance of keeping the language alive. Reading and speaking Hindi I found has helped me spiritually and especially when it comes to reading my scriptures,” Rayka Motilal explained.

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Her thoughts were echoed by fellow student, Sajana Sirkisson.

“It’s great learning more languages and Hindi is important to me, both culturally and religiously and that’s what has helped me,” the Reddam College Umhlanga Grade 8 learner said.

•  The Hindi Vidya Patshala is a non profit organisation and classes run four times a week. If you would like to get involved, contact Pundita Sirkisson on 082 859 1798 or 031 566 5265 .

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