In a significant gesture highlighting growing cultural ties between India and Australia, Sushil Kumar, the Consul General of India in Melbourne, recently recognized Peter Friedlander, a respected former professor at the Australian National University, for his notable contribution to the Hindi language in Australia. Friedlander was awarded a cash prize for an article he contributed to Gagananchal Visheshank, a quarterly magazine published by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
During the meeting, Kumar applauded Friedlander’s commitment to expanding the reach of Hindi beyond traditional borders. As a token of appreciation, Friedlander presented Kumar with a copy of The Songs of Daya Bai, an English-translated collection that offers cultural insights into Hindi poetry and storytelling.
Friedlander’s article highlighted the increasing popularity of Hindi across Australian cities, especially through community language schools and radio platforms. He credited multicultural broadcasting services such as SBS Hindi and Melbourne-based Radio Manpasand for supporting the spread of Hindi among Indian diaspora and local communities alike.
The ICCR’s acknowledgment of Friedlander’s work reflects India’s broader cultural diplomacy strategy, which aims to promote its languages and heritage globally. The honor also aligns with the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, established in 2020, which encompasses collaboration in education, culture, and soft power diplomacy.
Friedlander’s work emphasizes how educational initiatives and inclusive media platforms play a pivotal role in making Hindi more accessible to students and enthusiasts in Australia. By shining a spotlight on community efforts and institutional support, the recognition also underscores how cultural bonds continue to strengthen the India-Australia relationship.
As both nations continue to collaborate in multiple sectors, such gestures help reinforce shared values, cultural exchange, and the importance of linguistic diversity on a global stage.
