Echoes of Hindi on Foreign Soil: A Living Chronicle of Journalism in 27 Countries
{Book Review by Prof. S.S. Dogra}
Hindi, often called the heartbeat of Indian culture, is not confined within the borders of India. It has been the voice, the emotion, and the identity of millions of Indians who crossed continents and built their identities in new lands. Dr. Jawahar Karnavat’s monumental work “Videsh men Hindi Patarkarita: 27 Deshon ki Hindi Patrkarita ka Singhvkolan” (Hindi Journalism Abroad: A Review of Hindi Journalism in 27 Countries) brings this global journey alive through in-depth research and authentic documentation.
This comprehensive volume presents over 120 years of history of Hindi journalism spread across 27 countries. It includes details of more than 150 Hindi newspapers and magazines. Spanning around 300 pages and 22 chapters, this book is not only an academic reference work but also holds exceptional significance as a cultural heritage.
In the foreword of this book, Padma Shri awardee and Founder-Director of the Madhavrao Sapre Memorial Newspaper Museum and Research Institute, Bhopal, Vijayadutt Shridhar, has written that Jawahar Karnavat, a true servant of Hindi, traveled to different countries to collect facts and, through the book “Hindi Patrkarita ke Vaishvik Paridrishay” (The Global Scenario of Hindi Journalis), made an earnest attempt to document an important subject for the first time. He further notes that in the future, researchers will build upon this foundational material, giving it the form of authentic history, analyzing the roots that nurtured the creation of homeland in foreign lands.
According to Padma Shri Vijayadutt Shridhar, Hindi journalism gave new consciousness and strength to the Indian community in countries such as South Africa, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Fiji. On June 4, 1903, the newspaper Indian Opinion was launched as a powerful medium for the struggle for human rights. It was a true reflection of Barrister Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s ideas and his Satyagraha movement. In almost all countries where Indians had migrated in large numbers, journalistic activities became a medium of communication, interaction, awareness, and solidarity. Among all foreign lands, the greatest contribution to Hindi journalism, literature, and the Hindi renaissance took place in Mauritius.
Similarly, in neighboring Nepal, the Hindi monthly magazine Himalini was launched in Kathmandu in 1998 by renowned Nepali litterateur Dr. Krishnachandra Mishra. At present, his son Sachidanand Mishra serves as Managing Director and continues its regular monthly publication. Dr. Jawahar Karnavat notes on pages 299–300 of his book that Himalini began as a literary-cultural magazine. The first issue drew controversy when a picture of King Birendra was published on its cover. Over its 24-year uninterrupted journey, Himalini has chronicled events such as the abolition of monarchy, the royal palace massacre, Maoist uprisings, the Koshi disaster, the devastating earthquake, and the Madhesh movement, all preserved as living documents. Today, Himalini is a highly regarded and ―Category A‖ listed Hindi magazine in
Nepal. Edited by Dr. Shweta Deepti and managed by Dr. Sachidanand Mishra, its articles are published not only in Nepal’s major cities but also prominently in India’s Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and other regions.
The most remarkable feature of Dr. Karnavat’s research is its vast scope. From the indentured-labor countries—Mauritius, South Africa, Fiji, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago—to developed nations like the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia, as well as several regions of Europe and Asia, this work documents Hindi journalism across the globe. Each chapter mirrors the struggles, aspirations, and achievements of the Indian diaspora, who kept the flame of Hindi alive in foreign lands through newspapers, magazines, and journals.
The importance of this book has not gone unnoticed. It has been recognized in the Limca Book of Records 2023 for its unique depth and authenticity. It is rare for a research-based book to combine such extensive study with emotional presentation, while also celebrating the global journey of Hindi.
Dr. Karnavat’s personality further adds credibility to his work. Retired as General Manager from the Bank of Baroda, he has for decades unfurled the flag of Hindi on both national and international platforms. He has received several prestigious awards, including the World Hindi Award from the Government of India. His earlier work “Modern Indian Banking: Theory and Practice” was honored by the Ministry of Education. Currently, he serves as an advisor at the Centre for Diaspora Literature and Culture, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal, continuing to guide the discourse on global Hindi.
The greatest strength of this book is its dual appeal. For scholars, researchers, and students, it is a rich reference work filled with facts, studies, and historical perspectives. For Hindi lovers and general readers, it is a source of pride, demonstrating how deeply and widely Hindi journalism has rooted itself thousands of miles away from its motherland.
Conclusion
“Videsh men Hindi Patarkarita: 27 Deshon ki Hindi Patrkarita ka Singhvkolan” is not just a book; it is a mirror of the global journey of Hindi and the indomitable courage of the Indian diaspora. With its breadth of research and clarity of vision, it will stand as a milestone in both media studies and cultural history. Priced at just ₹400 and published by the National Book Trust, India, this book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand how the echoes of Hindi continue to be heard across borders and generations.
