Media kept out of sessions at World Hindi Meet

Media persons covering the World Hindi Meet here on Thursday vented their unhappiness at being kept out of the various sessions at the prestigious three-day international event.

As soon as the inauguration was over at the Lal Parade Ground here, which was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the media persons were told they could not attend the various sessions as they were closed to the media.

The media persons accosted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup, who informed them that in such international events the media is allowed only at the inauguration and concluding ceremonies.

However, some journalists protested and said this had never happened in the previous nine World Hindi conferences.

To this, Swarup replied that he will gather information and let them know.

Later, Swarup briefed the media about the different sessions held on Thursday.

The four main sessions held on Thursday were: "Videsh Niti Mein Hindi" or the use of Hindi in India's foreign policy; the use of Hindi in administration; the use of Hindi in science; and use of Hindi in information and technology.

Among the other themes were one on Girmityas, or the diaspora living in Mauritius and Fiji.

Around 2,000 participants from India and 27 countries are expected to attend the 10th edition of the Vishwa Hindi Sammelan, being held on September 10-12 in Bhopal.

The event is being organised by the MEA and the Madhya Pradesh government.

The 10th World Hindi Conference has as its theme "Hindi Jagat: Vistar evam Sambhavnai" (World of Hindi: Expansion and Scope).