Guyana Parliament Echoes with Fluent Hindi as MP Vikash Ramkissoon Delivers Powerful Rebuttal
A parliamentary session in Guyana took an unexpected linguistic turn when MP Vikash Ramkissoon, a minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, delivered a remarkably fluent Hindi speech that has since captivated social media platforms worldwide. The exchange unfolded after an opposition lawmaker, Vishnu Pandey, publicly questioned Ramkissoon's understanding of the Hindi language during official proceedings.
From Challenge to Triumph: The Parliamentary Exchange
The confrontation began when opposition member Vishnu Pandey claimed that Ramkissoon "did not know a word in Hindi." Rather than dismissing the remark, Ramkissoon immediately sought permission from the Speaker to address the comment directly in Hindi. "Permit me sir, because he said I don't know a word in Hindi. I am responding to him, the honourable member," Ramkissoon began, demonstrating both parliamentary decorum and linguistic confidence.
Addressing the Speaker with traditional Hindi honorifics "mananiya adhyakshmahodaya, adarniya sadasya" before specifically naming "mananiya Vishnu Pandey," Ramkissoon issued a direct challenge to his critic. "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," he declared, challenging Pandey to choose any platform, location, and topic for a Hindi debate that he would conduct without any prepared notes.
Social Media Celebration and Official Recognition
The video of this linguistic showdown quickly spread across digital platforms after being shared by the High Commission of India in Georgetown, Guyana, on their official X account. The post, which highlighted "Hon'ble Vikash Ramkisoon, MP, spoke in chaste Hindi," has been reshared thousands of times, reaching Indian audiences who have celebrated the MP's surprising linguistic proficiency.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one netizen noting, "Questioning his Hindi was unnecessary. He answered in Hindi without notes. That settles the issue clearly." Another commentator added, "Such moments highlight the importance of cultural representation and linguistic diversity in governance." The incident has sparked broader conversations about the role of language in political discourse and cultural identity within multicultural societies.
Background: Vikash Ramkissoon's Professional Journey
Vikash Ramkissoon brings substantial professional experience to his parliamentary role:
- Current Position: Minister within Guyana's Ministry of Agriculture (appointed September 13, 2025)
- Previous Government Role: Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture in Guyana's Twelfth Parliament (2020-2025)
- Private Sector Experience: Former Branch Manager at Demerara Bank Limited
- Educational Background: Holds a Master of Commerce and Finance and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi, India, plus a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with distinction from the University of Guyana
Guyana's Significant Indian Diaspora Connection
This linguistic moment carries particular significance given Guyana's demographic history. As a South American nation, Guyana surprisingly hosts the largest Indian diaspora community in all of Latin America. Current estimates indicate that approximately 40% of Guyana's population claims Indian heritage as of July 2025.
This demographic connection traces back to May 5, 1838, when 396 Indian immigrants known as 'The Gladstone Coolies' were transported from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to British Guiana (present-day Guyana). These initial arrivals worked primarily in the sugar industry, with the indentured labor system continuing for approximately three-quarters of a century. By 1911, individuals of Indian descent had become a substantial portion of Guyana's ethnic composition, establishing cultural and linguistic connections that continue to influence the nation's social and political landscape today.
The parliamentary exchange between Ramkissoon and Pandey therefore represents more than just personal linguistic proficiency—it reflects deeper historical connections and the ongoing significance of cultural identity within Guyana's political institutions. Ramkissoon's ability to seamlessly navigate between English parliamentary procedures and fluent Hindi discourse demonstrates how historical diaspora communities maintain and celebrate their linguistic heritage within contemporary governance structures.
