In the city of Bhopal, situated in Madhya Pradesh, encountering foreigners proficient in the art of fluent Hindi is a rarity. Nonetheless, there exists a subset of individuals driven by a genuine ardor for linguistic diversity and cultural exploration, propelling them to immerse themselves in the intricacies of Hindi. Tomio Mizokami, a retired Japanese academician, articulates that while English may be the language of necessity, Hindi emerges as the language of emotional resonance.
In a candid exchange with ETV Bharat, Tomio Mizokami, a Japanese literary figure, unraveled his odyssey of affection for Indian culture and the Hindi language. With an air of trepidation, he confessed, “My narrative is a protracted one, laden with intricacies. The detailed account finds its place within the pages of my book, where the presence of a substantial expatriate Indian community significantly influenced my trajectory. In my formative years, I, an ingenuous schoolboy, acquired proficiency in Hindi through interactions with Indian migrants and women.”
The desire to connect with India, fueled by an attachment to Hindi, motivated Mizokami’s journey. His aspiration extended beyond mere linguistic prowess; he envisioned utilizing Hindi as a medium for business transactions. Mizokami narrated, “My academic pursuits culminated in degrees, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in Hindi. It wasn’t a pragmatic decision to secure my future; rather, it was an amorous entanglement with the language itself.”
Dispelling the notion of Hindi’s complexity in comparison to European languages, the recipient of the Padma Shri accolade remarked, “Hindi exhibits a commendable regularity and simplicity in its grammar. However, achieving fluency in spoken Hindi is an entirely distinct challenge.”
When prompted about influential Indian political figures, Tomio Mizokami opined, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi commands an impressive proficiency in Hindi, which bears a pronounced Sanskritized quality. While it may present a challenge for the general populace, it resonates distinctly for individuals like us.”
Expressing linguistic versatility, Mizokami disclosed, “My linguistic repertoire extends to Hindi, Punjabi, and Bangla. English, a utilitarian language for me, lacks any emotional tether. Conversations in Hindi or Bengali bring me a sense of fulfillment. In essence, I find myself metamorphosing into an Indian or perhaps have already embraced that identity.”
The year 2018 witnessed the conferment of the Padma Shri upon Dr. Tomio Mizokami, a distinguished professor from Osaka University, recognizing his noteworthy contributions to the realm of Hindi learning and education.