Don't impose Hindi on Andaman: Bhakta

Port Blair, Oct 03 (UNI) Mr Manoranjan Bhakta, lone MP from Andaman and Nicobar islands, has advised the Rastriya Hindi Academy not to impose Hindi on the islanders.

Speaking in the 19th All India Official Language Conference, being organised in Andamans from October 2 to 4, said, " Hindi is growing and spreading naturally in these islands and one should not impose Hindi on the islanders. " Mr Bhakta said since the beginning islanders of Andaman and Nicobar, hailing from different regions of mainland India, had granted Hindi as main language for communication and this was the reason why Hindi was doing well in this region.

" Almost everyone here speaks Hindi, which is a great achievement, " he added.

The conference was inaugurated by Governor of Chhatisgarh Lt Gen K M Seth and Governor of Jharkhand Syed Sibte Razi yesterday and Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde will be present in the concluding function.

UNI SKR SJC/SRC1238