Pralek, Mumbai has just published a book. Its title is 'Mauritius and Fiji: From the Window of the World Hindi Conference'. Its author is Kripashankar Choubey, who is well established in Hindi literature and journalism. This book gives detailed information about the activities of the 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius in 2018 and the 12th World Hindi Conference to be held in Fiji in 2023, as well as the folk culture there. The book very easily enters the hearts of the readers and takes you on such an informative journey where you can closely understand the system and objective of the World Hindi Conference and also get acquainted with the discussions held in those conferences, the resolutions passed, the recommendations and the suggestions. This book also provides an interesting introduction to the tourist places of Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and the city of Nadi in Fiji.
In the chapter titled 'From Khidirpur Ghat to Pravasi Ghat' of the book, detailed information has been given about the 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius in 2018. Regarding the departure of indentured labourers from India, the author has written, “Lakhs of indentured labourers from India went to many countries like Mauritius, Fiji from Khidirpur Ghat located on the banks of Hooghly River in Kolkata. That is why Khidirpur Ghat is called Girmitiya Ghat. The sad indentured journey of the NRIs started from this ghat and this book also begins with the description of this ghat. In 2011, a memorial has been built in Khidirpur Ghat in honour of indentured labourers with the cooperation of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of West Bengal and Kolkata Port Trust, which the author himself visited and included information related to that place in his writing. He describes this memorial built in Calcutta in these words, “Right behind the memorial, an old banyan tree stands silently, holding the memories of immigration in its body.” Kripashankar Chaubey has presented his experiences at various places with pictures and interesting facts, which makes the reading lively and one feels a connection with the author's memories.
The artistic vision of the author also emerges in front of us when he describes the immigrant ghat of Mauritius. This book is an objective report of the World Hindi Conference along with creativity. In this book, the author has shared with us the interesting process of the 'Hindi Vishwa' newspaper published during the World Hindi Conference. Apart from this, Kripashankar Choubey has highlighted the important achievements of the 11th and 12th World Hindi Conference. In the book, the author has depicted many true incidents related to life episodes during his stay in Mauritius and Fiji. It is clear that such pictures have become very lively and the author has presented the culture of that place in a better way. By reading these sketches, the weather, environment, lifestyle of the people, rituals etc. can be compared with India. In this way, the author has shown the relevant form of the folk cultures of Mauritius and Fiji in the book.
In the chapter 'Nagpur se Nadi', the author has focused on the 12th World Hindi Conference held in the Republic of Fiji from 15 to 17 February 2023. He writes that the traditional welcome program at the opening ceremony of the World Hindi Conference lasted for a long time. The Kaiviti tribes of Fiji invoked natural powers. In that invocation, a wish was made to give peace and happiness to the world. It is a kind of sadhana sequence in which prayers are offered collectively. This is a beautiful ritual of nature conservation, which is an integral part of the traditional life of Fiji. India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanya Jaishankar was given a traditional welcome with Ngona at the opening ceremony.
The last section of this book also includes interviews of the prominent writers of these countries. The writer of the much talked about novel 'Pathreela Sona', Ramdev Dhurandhar is a well known writer of Mauritius. During a conversation with Kripashankar Choubey, novelist Ramdev Dhurandhar shared many interesting facts about the creation of 'Pathreela Sona'. Prof. Subramani's name is also counted among the leading ones in Fiji Hindi literature. Prof. Subramani has gained international fame by creating novels like 'Dauka Purana' and 'Fiji Maa-Hazaron Ki Maa' in Fiji Hindi. He is called the pioneer of Fiji Hindi literature. Prof. Choubey has talked to him about his writing process.
In the book, Kripashankar Chaubey has drawn a very accurate portrait of the old and new generation of Indians of Mauritius and Fiji. The author has presented interesting information about the history of Mauritius and Fiji, Hindi literature and the tradition of journalism with historical evidence. This presentation reveals the author's research-oriented approach. The reader gets an opportunity to know both the countries closely through the naming of these countries, political power, economic activities, literary development and activities related to the Hindi language. The book has easily included the events of the past along with the present.
That is why before looking at today's achievements, the author has looked into the past which prepares a background for the readers to understand the present circumstances that behind today's progress is the blood, sweat and thinking of indentured Indians. The author pays tribute to the history of indentured labourers. In the chapter titled Nadi Se Nagpur, the author has presented the essence of Pt. Totaram Sanadhya's book 'Fiji Me Mere 21 Varsh' in which Pt. Totaram Sanadhya's poignant experience of indentured labour, violence of the colonial government, decline of moral and religious values among indentured labourers, mistreatment of Indian women and the helplessness of the labourers touches the heart of every Indian.
During his travels, Kripashankar Chaubey saw and felt the yearning of Indians for their roots in these two countries, located far away from India. That is why he considers Mauritius and Fiji as small India. The emotionality of these Indians for their motherland India, despite being away from their roots and living in isolation for many generations, has influenced the author on many levels. Kripashankar Chaubey calls the Indians of Mauritius and Fiji as indentured Indians. In the book, he has given a realistic and lively depiction of the folk colours and challenges of Mauritius and Fiji Islands. He has presented the exact description of the natural beauty of both the countries to the readers. His natural depiction of both the countries is so captivating that the reader gets a desire to visit these countries someday.
Mauritius and Fiji: From the Window of World Hindi Conference, Author- Kripashankar Choubey, Publisher- Pralek Prakashan, Mumbai, First Edition-2024, Pages-112, Price-200 Rupees.
Reviewer-Dr. Subhashini Lata Kumar
(The reviewer is an Assistant Professor at Fiji National University)