HINDI LANGUAGE COURSE FOR MISSIONARIES IN NORTH INDIA
June 6-28, 2015
The objective of the Hindi Language Course is to help missionaries working in North India to learn to communicate in Hindi, which is the spoken and written language of 80 per cent people, and to learn culture, custom and religious practices of the people. It is also a sign of love and appreciation of the language and culture of the local people. It brings a sense of solidarity and belongingness among the people. It helps the missionaries to integrate with the people, lest they will be considered alien to the land.
The course began on June 6, 2015 at 6.30 p.m. with the inaugural session in the Nav Sanchar Hall. Later the participants were divided into two groups based on their knowledge of Hindi language: A-Advanced Group and B-Beginners of Basic Hindi Group. Advanced group was guided and taught by Mr. Simon Peter, who is the lecturer in St.Thomas Inter College, Shahganj; Basic Hindi Group was guided and taught by Sr.Laetitia, SRA and Dr.Fr.V.Sebastian, who have experience in teaching Hindi to the beginners starting with the Alphabet. The methodology used for teaching is lecturing, exercises, audio-visual, skit, drama, praying and singing, loud reading and speaking, mock marketing, etc. The participants had appreciation and esteem to the teachers as they were kind, considerate, gentle, patient and perseverant, diligent, approachable, helpful, paternal and maternal in their dealing with all. They felt that they require more days to study Hindi, but it is a great service to the missionaries and need to be continued in the future. Indian Christian Spirituality lecture was held on June 25, 2015 by Rev.Fr. Vineet, Priest of Varanasi Diocese. The course came to an end with a programme in the eve of June 28, 2015, for which Rev.Fr.Gabriel was the chief guest, who inspired and motivated them to continue to learn to reach perfection and proficient in language. He was also the guide for the banares darshan on June 18, 2015. They articulated that they the director and staff of Nav Sadhana were amiable, amicable, friendly, cordial, approachable, affectionate and concerned with everyone’s welfare. They appreciated the homely atmosphere, spacious accommodation, tasty food, prayerful milieu. All returned with delight to their residence and with lots of happy memories of friends. They came as strangers and returned as camaraderie.
