IGCC Dhaka Marks Hindi Pakhwada with Culture & Harmony

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) at the High Commission of India in Dhaka celebrated Hindi Pakhwada 2025 with a vibrant programme blending competitions, academic engagement, and cultural performances. The fortnight-long celebration, held from 14–28 September, aimed to promote Hindi while honouring the rich plurality of Indian languages.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Deputy High Commissioner of India, Shri Pawan Badhe, who served as the Chief Guest. Distinguished professors from Dhaka University also joined the event, which featured essay writing, poem recitation, and Antakshari competitions. Winners were felicitated for their achievements.

In his keynote address, Shri Pawan Badhe stressed that Hindi Pakhwada is not only about celebrating Hindi but also about embracing India’s deep linguistic diversity. He noted that India, with its 22 constitutionally recognised languages and hundreds of regional tongues, carries centuries of knowledge, culture, and heritage. “Every language enriches us, every script and poem adds to our heritage, and every folk song strengthens the bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh,” he said.

Highlighting the global and regional significance of India’s classical languages, particularly Sanskrit, the Deputy High Commissioner welcomed the Government of India’s recent recognition of Bangla as a classical language. He called this a shared moment of pride that reinforces cultural bonds between the two nations.

The evening also featured a soulful musical performance by Ms. Sushmita Sen Chowdhury and her team, who enthralled the audience with timeless Hindi classics.

The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks and a call for greater collaboration among institutions, scholars, and students to further strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Bangladesh.