The Indian Business and Professional Council Dubai, in association with the Consulate General of India, hosted a cultural and thought-leadership evening in Dubai to mark World Hindi Day and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora, business leaders, scholars and cultural figures.
The event was attended by Pravasi Bharatiya Award recipients including IBPC chairman Siddharth Balachandran and veteran community leader Vasu Shroff, underscoring Dubai’s role as a global hub for Indian professional excellence and cultural exchange.
In his address, Balachandran highlighted the importance of celebrating the occasion in the UAE, citing the depth and diversity of the Indian community in the country. He spoke of his aspiration for a future where Indians understand and appreciate all regional languages while also building linguistic bridges with Arabic in the Emirates to strengthen cultural coexistence.
The programme opened with welcome remarks by Sunil Sinha, vice chairman of IBPC Dubai, who paid tribute to literary traditions and emphasised the enduring role of language in connecting communities and preserving heritage. Sunil Kumar, consul at the Consulate General of India, encouraged greater participation by the younger generation in safeguarding linguistic and cultural traditions. Dr Sahitya Chaturvedi, secretary general of IBPC Dubai, delivered a brief address in Sanskrit, sharing his personal motivation to contribute to the promotion and preservation of languages
The cultural segment featured poetry recitals and a Kavi Sammelan by IBPC members, followed by a musical performance celebrating Hindi poetry and music. “This annual event reaffirmed IBPC Dubai’s leadership in blending culture and community, and its role as a custodian of Indian heritage abroad,” Dr Chaturvedi said.
