Every year in January, the Government of India observes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to make the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the government of India. In 2021, the chief guest to this event was Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi, the newly elected president of Suriname, a member of the country’s Hindustani community. Santokhi notably began his address at the event with a set of greetings in Sarnami Hindustani, his native language with significant vocabulary influence from Modern Standard Hindi. Below is a translation of his opening remarks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqKOHn8miE&t=41s
भारत के प्रधान मंत्री जी, मानण्य, महामहिम श्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी
(To) India’s praiseworthy, His Excellency, Prime minister Narendra Modi Ji
मेरे प्यारे प्यारे भरतिया प्रवाशी
(To) my beloved Indian diaspora
भैया और बहिने लोगन
Brothers and sisters
हमार ओर से, आप लोगन का रामजोहाल पाउचे
From my direction, I wish you people the best of health
का हाल बा?
How are you?
हमार देस सुरीनाम के ओर से आप सब लोगों को
From my country of Suriname to all you people
इस स्वरवा प्रवाशी दिवस पर
On this great Diaspora Day
हियर देस अभिनन्दन परसुत करीला
I present my greetings to this country
नमस्कार आप सब लोक के लिए
Salutations to all of you
Hindustani Words/Phrases and Meanings
Ka Haal Ba – How are you?
Pradhan Mantri – Prime Minister
Pyare – beloved
Logan – People (plural)
Ore – Direction, side
Bharatiya Pravasi Divas – Indian Diaspora Day
Namaskaar – Greetings/Salutations
Ramjohaal – Literally meaning the health/condition of Lord Ram, but interpreted as “best of health”
Abhinandan – Greetings
Karila – Do/doing (presence tense)
Maananya – Praisworthy
Mahamahim – Excellency
Parsut – To Present
