Rekha Rajvanshi Receives UP Hindi Sansthan’s ‘Hindi Videsh

Rekha Rajvanshi Receives UP Hindi Sansthan’s ‘Hindi Videsh Prasar Samman’

On the 10th of January, we commemorated World Hindi Day. Various Hindi activities and events were held all around the world, including Australia, to mark the day. When it comes to Hindi in Australia, a few names come to mind. Rekha Rajvanshi, an Australian Hindi writer and poet, is one among them. Rekha was awarded ‘Hindi Videsh Prasaar Samman’ by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan Lucknow for promoting Hindi in Australia on November 28th, 2021. The award carries an added cash prize incentive worth Rs. 250,000.

A teacher by profession, Rekha moved to Australia twenty years ago and started teaching Hindi in a community school after about a month of her arrival in Sydney. She is passionate about Hindi. She taught Hindi to Australian adults at the Centre for Continuing Education, University of Sydney, and to children at the Saturday School of Community Languages and Indo-Aust Bal Bharthi Hindi School.

Rekha has published eight books, edited three books by Australian writers and co-edited one poetry book. She is also an award-winning NAATI accredited English to Hindi translator, who received an Excellence in Translation award for translating Aboriginal dreamtime stories in 2014. Rekha’s extensive work includes poetry (blank verse, geet, ghazal, and nazmas), stories, articles, children’s poetry, and translations. Lucknow Doordarshan anchor interviewed Rekha after the award and said that she’s amazed at how a poet can write in so many genres so well. Rekha’s poems touch people’s hearts and take them on a rollercoaster of emotions. Rekha’s works — poetry and stories are also included in the Hindi curriculum of Indian universities.

Rekha founded the Indian Literary and Art Society of Australia, ILASA Inc (Bhartiya Sahituya aur Kala Sanstha, Australia) in 2010 and has organised programmes to promote Hindi in Australia, such as: Kavi Sammelans, Poetry Competitions, Hindi Dramas, and a conference to promote Hindi literature in Australia. She has been a pioneer in organising Hindi Diwas in Australia.

When asked how she felt after receiving this award, Rekha replied -

“I am passionate about Hindi and I think we writers don’t work for an award. We just follow our passion, and if our work is recognized, it encourages us. Australia is a multicultural country, where Hindi, Punjabi, and Tamil are also taught along with many other languages.

If we want our younger generation to learn about India’s rich heritage, cultural values, and traditions, we need to teach them our language. Our literature is also very rich, and when we read a book from a different country and culture, we learn about its people, rituals and discover many similarities and differences. Literature helps build a bridge.”

Rekha worked hard to bring together all the Hindi writers, poets, and Hindi lovers of Australia on one platform and connected them with writers from all over the world.

Rekha is the true ambassador of Hindi literature in Australia.

It is not easy but it is not impossible either

Writer- Poornima Menon

Iwatched the movie ‘Chandigarh kare Aashiqui’ which is definitely a conversation starter. It is heartening to see filmmakers and directors coming forward to work on such controversial and taboo topics. For a society that has always identified gender with the sex of an individual, this is a difficult meal to digest. And no one, absolutely no one can know what it feels like until the person is in that situation.

As a teacher I have seen 3 of my students, 2 girls and a boy, struggling with the gender identity crisis. While one of them was bold enough to run away from home when she ( now a he) was 16 and seek the help of NGOs who helped, I saw the lives of the other 2 disintegrating due to lack of support from parents and other family members.

When I moved into the corporate world, I have seen one of our employees transition. She (then a he) had very supportive friends and colleagues. There were many adjustments that had to made in the workplace from the use of toilets and change rooms to sometimes having the difficult conversation with her about some work related issues. But it was all handled very gently. As she moved into the last phase of her transition she decided to take time off from work as she needed more time to herself. When the transition was complete, she shared her latest photos with her colleagues. That was the level of comfort she enjoyed.

This movie has been well made and the subject handled with great finesse. There are indications from the very beginning that this female protagonist is different – the pills, the laser treatment, the awkwardness around the transgenders on the street, etc. The reaction of her boyfriend and his family also very natural in the given circumstances – these are topics that are generally avoided and there is very little information out there about them. The final reconciliation and Manu winning the competition by lifting weights he has never lifted before is quite symbolic.

There are some great takeaways from this movie. The first is the message of acceptance of individuals of all kinds. It is not easy but it is not impossible either. And the second is that education and awareness is the key. When we make informed and educated decisions, we often make the right ones. And third is to listen to the heart. If the connections are built there, then nothing else matters.

The stars have played their parts well and so have the supporting cast. I would recommend this movie.

Green Smoothie

From smoothie challenges (it’s definitely challenging) to just as a meal replacement (best way to start)... this smoothie will serve you well.

Let’s break down exactly what you need to make this simple and ready to go, in less than 5 minutes green smoothie:

In a blender add a handful of spinach (upgrade to kale once you are confident), 1 pitted date, 1 green apple and 1.5 cup of coconut water. Blend blend blend and there you have it!!!

I like to top mine with chia seeds/flax seeds for a little crunch (you can blend it as well)

You are welcome!

Don’t forget to let us know how you all went.

Regards, Wat do you Meal Team Follow us on Facebook, Instagram