LONDON ENGLAND – When one thinks of an educationist you think of someone who will put you in a corner if you get dictation wrong. You turn the tables and see Britain’s prime ministerial candidate Rishi Sunak who is not just easy on the eyes but also easy on the ears as he speaks Hindi and English in the current efforts to tie up education bonds between India and England.
He was speaking at a campaign hustings event organised by the Conservative Friends of India (CFIN) diaspora in north London. The former Chancellor began his address to the largely British Indian gathering with a mix of traditional greetings, including namaste, salaam, khem cho, and kidda.
He even used Hindi, saying, “Aap sab mere parivar ho (you all are my family).”
“We are the living bridge between the two countries, We are all very aware of the opportunity for the UK to sell things and do things in India, but actually we need to look at that relationship differently because there is an enormous amount that we here in the UK can learn from India, I want to make sure that it’s easy for our students to also travel to India and learn, that it’s also easy for our companies and Indian companies to work together because it’s not just a one-way relationship, it’s a two-way relationship, and that’s the type of change I want to bring to that relationship.”
The Prime Ministerial candidate stood easy and spoke from the heart acknowledging the fact that he is bilingual and that he understands some concerns from both parties. The crowd seemed to lighten up once he started speaking in multi languages and addressing concerns of each and ever person that had one.
This is what is needed globally for countries to have ties for education as the next generation has to grow and provided the best opportunities even if it means they have to leave their comfort zones.
