Dr. Alaka Atreya Chudal and Luisa Masznitz from the Department of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna attended the World Hindi Secretariat event on May 4, 2024. Among those present were Dr. Subhankar Mishra, the Deputy Secretary General of the World Hindi Secretariat of Mauritius, Dr. Ramesh Chand Sharma, a teacher from the Wellington Hindi School in New Zealand, Dr. Kavita Brijmohan Sood, a teacher from the Hindi School in Sydney, Australia, Senior Prof. Puran Chand Tandon from the University of Delhi, and other students from Australia and New Zealand.  

The focus of this event was on the importance and significance of Hindi literature. In her speech, Dr. Alaka Atreya Chudal spoke about the courses on the various literary topics of the past years, the development of the Hindi language, the significance of literature for society, literary genres and the use of literature for teaching Hindi as a foreign language. She also referred to the various literary projects undertaken by ISTB students. Ms. Luisa Masznitz reported on the importance of Hindi literature for the foreign language learning process and the cultural understanding of South Asia. It was also explained how social issues, everyday moments and historical events were addressed in the various literary works and how these contributed to a broader knowledge of the language. Through the in-depth exploration of different literary genres, literary themes and analysis, the academic approach differs greatly from that of Hindi schools in Australia and New Zealand, which the Deputy Secretary General of the World Hindi Secretariat welcomed. This approach was well received by the international guests, representatives and delegates. In a concluding discussion, it was noted that literature can make a significant contribution to individual, academic, literary and linguistic development, again referring to Dr. Alaka Atreya Chudal's lecture programms and commitment to the study of literary works at the University of Vienna. The ISTB of the University of Vienna thus contributes to an ongoing academic engagement with various Hindi literary forms and promotes literary education in Hindi among ISTB students.