Prof. Shambhunath Tiwari: Hindi-Urdu Serves as a Cultural Bridge and Global Identity of Overseas Indians
Sydney (Australia): Prof. Shambhunath Tiwari, Department of Hindi, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has said that Hindi-Urdu, popularly known as Hindustani, serves as a powerful medium of cultural integration and a defining marker of identity for millions of overseas Indians across the world.
Speaking during an interview with Darpan, a Sydney-based FM radio channel catering to the Hindi-Urdu-speaking Indian diaspora, Prof. Tiwari observed that Indians who have settled permanently in different countries, despite belonging to diverse states, regions and linguistic backgrounds, remain united through Hindi-Urdu.
During the interview, Prof. Tiwari said that a large number of Indians have made their homes in different countries over the years. Although they belong to different states, regions and linguistic backgrounds, they continue to remain connected with one another through Hindi-Urdu, commonly known as Hindustani. He said that for the global Indian diaspora, Hindi-Urdu is not merely a language of communication but an important symbol of their cultural identity and emotional attachment to India.
Referring to Australia, he said that Sydney, along with almost all major Australian cities well known to Indians, especially cricket lovers, has a large and vibrant Indian community. Despite their diverse backgrounds, members of the diaspora have preserved a common Hindustani identity through Hindi-Urdu, using the language as a thread to remain closely connected to their roots and traditions in India.
Speaking about the journey of migrants, Prof. Tiwari said that many Indians leave their homeland in search of education, employment and better opportunities. Driven by personal ambitions and family responsibilities, they settle in unfamiliar cities and countries far away from home. While they may be physically distant from their families, he said, they always remain close to them emotionally.
He observed that for many overseas Indians, returning to their homeland remains a cherished dream that often cannot be fulfilled because of personal and professional responsibilities. Carrying with them memories of their homeland and the emotions associated with it, they build new lives and contribute to the societies in which they live. At the same time, they continue to remain deeply connected to India’s culture, traditions and values.
Prof. Tiwari said that Hindi-Urdu has played a vital role in keeping these emotional and cultural bonds alive across generations. According to him, the language has become the primary medium through which many overseas Indians preserve their heritage, celebrate their festivals, share their traditions and pass on Indian values to younger generations born outside the country.
He further said that the harmony between Hindi and Urdu not only strengthens ties among members of the Indian diaspora in Australian cities such as Sydney but also promotes cultural understanding and social unity within the community.
Highlighting the growing relationship between India and Australia, Prof. Tiwari said that the two countries are steadily expanding cooperation in areas such as politics, trade, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. In this changing global environment, he said, Hindi-Urdu has the potential to serve as a strong linguistic bridge that complements these growing ties and further strengthens the social, cultural and emotional relationship between the people of both nations.
He concluded by saying that promoting Hindi-Urdu among overseas Indians is essential not only for preserving India’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage but also for strengthening the global identity of the Indian diaspora and deepening India’s cultural engagement with the world.
