ASHOK NAIR
CHICAGO: The Hindi Gurukul held its annual event at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora recently. Several students presented dances and plays and also portrayed Bollywood characters, demonstrating their command over the Hindi language.
The kids, many of them first generation Indian-Americans, displayed an enviable grasp of Hindi pronunciation, a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the teachers who volunteer at the Hindi Gurukul.
Kristin Fitzgerald, president of School District 203 and Michael Raczak, president of Indian Prairie School District 204, who were honored guests at the event, praised the efforts of the students and the teachers.
“By spreading the knowledge of Hindi, the school encourages diversity in the community while also strengthening inter-cultural bonds,” said Fitrzgerald, adding that knowledge of Hindi would help the students to be strong contributors in an increasingly global world. She said that the school district anticipated further collaboration with the Gurukul.
The Hindi Gurukul recently received recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education for having met its ethnic language programme standards.
Paying tributes to the students and the Gurukul, Raczak said the school fulfilled an important function to help the students learn their native language.
“Equally important,” he said, “through the language they learn their culture and values.
In today’s world, more than ever we need students to have a strong set of values.”
Raczak said the Indian-American community has contributed a lot to the local school districts.
“You have enriched us,” he said.
Ajay Jain and Kunjal Harshavat spoke about the Gurukul and its efforts to connect American-born Indian children with their language and culture. Jain said that student leaders in the Gurukul have begun taking the responsibility of helping run the school.
Jain introduced Gautam Bhatia who is running for election to the board of the Indian Prairie School District 204. Introducing himself to the audience, Bhatia said that he was campaigning on the issues of fiscal responsibility, mental health and teacher retention.
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