The spirit of Indian language has reverberated across oceans as the Indian-origin Minister Vikas Ramkisoon has sparked his incredible Hindi speaking skills in the National Assembly of Guyana. When questions were raised in the assembly regarding the Hindi speaking abilities of the Minister, Vikas Ramkisoon immediately switched to Hindi and his strong Indian roots reverberated in the South American country.
“Respected sir, whoever thinks I cannot speak in Hindi, I will debate them in Hindi. While I am standing here, I challenge you. You choose the topic of debate, the place and the level for it and I’ll be there to argue with you without any piece of paper in my hand”, Minister Vikas Ramkisoon reacted, when an MP from the opposition, named Vishnu Pandey challenged him for the Hindi speaking skills and insulted that his Hindi is very poor. In this fierce political face-off the Indian heritage, culture and the unique language spirit was highlighted in the National Assembly of Guyana.
Minister Vikash Ramkisoon holds the Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana. “Permit me sir, because he said I don’t know a word in Hindi. I am responding to him. Permit me sir to say it in Hindi, mananiya adhyakshmahodaya, adarniya sadasya, mananiya Vishnu Pandey. Mai abhi isi waqt unko chunauti deta hoon, ki kisi bhi star par, kisi bhi jagah par ja karke, Vishay who tay karenge, aur mai ja karke debate karunga bina kagaz le karke”, Minister Ramkisoon reiterated with his fluent Hindi speaking skills.
From Guyana Parliament:
After the Opposition questioned the Hindi-speaking ability of MP Vikash Ramkissoon, he responded in the language. He said, "Vishay woh tay karein, main bina kagaz dikhaye" pic.twitter.com/yxgS1sXWCZ
— Ankit (@Extreo_) February 10, 2026
Minister Vikash Ramkisoon holds a bachelor and masters degree in commerce and finance from Delhi School of Economics. He has also earned an LLB from the University of Guyana. He has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Agricultural Ministry of Guyana.
Social media praises the Minister
As the video of Minister Ramkisoon speaking in Hindi circulated across social media platforms praises and appreciations poured in, for his fluency, command over the language and for his inclination towards his Indian roots. The Indian High Commission in Georgetown, shared the video clip in the X social media platform and wrote, “Our Hindi echoed in Guyana’s Parliament.
Other social media users appreciated by writing, “Guyana has a 35% Hindu population, and its politics are polarised along ethnic lines between Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese. With an Indo-Guyanese-led government, Vikas Ramkisoon was questioned about Hindi to see if he truly represents the Indo-Guyanese community. We’re Proud”. “Guyanese Hindus are so rooted to their culture. I frequently visit the Guyanese mandir in Canada; the way they perform Puja and let the devotees perform too, in a synchronous way, is exemplary. So much to learn from them”, wrote another person.
Strong Hindu roots in Guyana
Indo-Guyanese community comprises 40 per cent of the total population of the South American country, who predominantly hail from the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Approximately, 28.4 per cent of the population of Guyana are Hindus. The large-scale migration took place during British colonialism, where they took Indian labourers to work in the industries of the South American country. Centuries have passed, yet the Indo-Guyanese community have kept their Indian roots strong and are cherishing it in every sector. Thus, Hindi and Bhojpuri culture and languages are extremely significant in the country.
The India-Guyana relations also gained a renewed push and spirit when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the South American country in November 2024. India and Guyana share a warm bilateral relations across wide sectors including trade, healthcare, education, capacity-building, cultural exchange and people-to-people ties are the living bridges that aids in strengthening the bilateral partnership.
