“Language and culture are the roots that connect us to our heritage, and in nurturing them, we preserve our identity.” ~ Dr. Alka Dunputh
A segment of Cafe Social Magazine dedicated to celebrating the stories of distinguished professionals who were born, raised, and educated in India and later moved abroad to achieve their professional dreams. Though they have become ‘foreigners’ by residing in other countries, their hearts still beat for their motherland, India. In this segment, we explore their journeys from Desh to Videsh and delve into the depths of their hearts to understand their connection to India.
Amidst the multicultural fabric of Mauritius, one finds a complete scholar and educator, a cultural promoter particularly devoted to Hindi, Dr. Alka Dunputh. She is one of the senior lecturers at the Language Resource Center of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, but throughout her life, she has been promoting the Indian culture and literature on foreign lands. Her incredible transition from Delhi to a somewhat culturally different Mauritius and her ambition toward the Hindi language renders her as a person exposing the Indian culture in a foreign setting.
Dr. Dunputh’s life and education is inseparable from Delhi, from which she completed B.Ed. and Ph.D and which she lovingly calls ‘Dilwalon ki Dilli’ where she spent most of her time growing up. This relationship with Delhi tries to stay alive irrespective of her moving to Mauritius. She returns to cooperate in the activities of her family on a yearly basis. It is apparent from her love for Indian culture that she is simple and considers herself a foodie. Being surrounded by staples like roti, dal, oil-free vegetables, and rice feels natural and is the epitome of the warmth and simplicity that reflects her notions of Indian culture and hospitality.
In Mauritius, her focus shifted towards the propagation of the Indian cultures, especially through Hindi. As an educator, she served as the head of the Hindi Department and led the Creative Writing and Administration Department at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. Her scholarly work has included contributions to numerous journals and magazines, including Gaveshna, Bhasha Manjusha, Gaganchal, Vasant, and others. Through her teaching and writing, she has actively encouraged young people in Mauritius to embrace Hindi, passing on the language and culture to future generations. Her unique blend of traditional knowledge and modern insights has led her to produce thoughtful works, including Sanshay ki Ek Raat: Parampara tatha Aadhunikta and Dard Apna-Apna, a collection of short stories. These contributions highlight her dedication to cultural preservation and literary expression.
Dr. Dunputh’s efforts have been recognized and rewarded with various accolades including the George Grierson Award for the promotion of Hindi language. Dr. Dunputh’s efforts have also been acknowledged by several institutions including Pratap College and Sathe College in Mumbai and also in some international locations such as Bangkok. She spoke about her work on children’s literature during the International Hindi Conference 2018 and in so doing expressed her views on literature for children.
Dr. Dunputh retains a legendary image of Lord Ram in her memory and describes this image as treasured and is always inspired by it. Lord Ram, according to Dr. Dunputh, performs a unique role because he sets standards of honesty, perseverance, and control which are the values of Indian culture. She advocates a process where feeding children with such values will help in creating clean and respectable societies. Her description of Lord Ram, the person who protected his dignity, integrity and was a symbol of ultimate peace, resonates with her vision of society being free from turmoil and filled with positivity.
Though she lives in Mauritius, Dr. Dunputh’s devotion to Indian traditions and her tireless efforts to promote Hindi language and literature have made her a prominent figure among expatriate writers. She believes that India’s rich cultural heritage and emotional connections among its people give it a unique strength that resonates globally. Her fluency in Creole has allowed her to integrate with the Mauritian culture, yet she continues to carry out her work in Hindi, teaching children and inspiring future generations to value the language.
Dr. Dunputh is also deeply inspired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, admiring his commitment to the nation and leadership. Her respect for him reflects her admiration for leaders who strive to uplift society, a value she holds dear and tries to reflect in her own life.
Expressing her gratitude to Cafe Social, Dr. Dunputh shared her appreciation for its dedication to highlighting lesser-known but inspiring personalities. She believes that sharing these stories connects communities and showcases lives that exemplify the essence of dedication, humility, and excellence. As a steward of Indian culture in a foreign land, Dr. Alka Dunputh continues to inspire through her profound scholarship, dedication to Hindi, and belief in a simple, principled life that bridges cultures and generations.
Giving a lecture at MGI Mauritius.
Dr. Alka Dunputh with her mother and daughter.
Ph.D. Be.d .
Delhi
