Meet Yesha Singh, the voice you can’t ignore — whether she’s anchoring a school event as the Head Girl, taking the mic in a high-stakes Hindi debate, or championing the cause of her mother tongue. In this candid chat, the Apeejay School, Noida achiever shares how grandparents, old Hindi songs, and a pinch of competitive spirit shaped her journey, why she’s on team AI, and how she wants students to wear Hindi like a badge of pride.
Yesha! Since when did your love for Hindi begin?
Hindi has always been close to my heart, almost like the language of my childhood memories. I grew up with my grandparents, and they were my first and biggest influence in developing a love for Hindi. From listening to them sing timeless Hindi songs, to watching old serials and movies together, to hearing them narrate stories with such emotion — it all left a deep imprint on me. Hindi was never just a subject in school; it was part of my home, my laughter, my bonding moments.
Even now, despite Hindi not being one of my subjects, I find ways to stay connected to it. Recently, I participated in an inter-school Hindi debate — the Srimati Rajeshwari Paul Memorial — and won Best Debater for speaking on whether AI is a blessing or a bane. That victory was special because I wrote the speech myself, refined it with inputs from my teachers, and drew on my own perspective about innovation.
Since you brought it up, what’s your take on AI?
I spoke for the motion — that AI is a blessing — because I truly believe that like every great innovation in history, it brings opportunities alongside challenges. People worry about job loss, but they forget that AI is also creating entirely new job sectors. On a global scale, the most developed nations are using AI not to destroy, but to innovate — in healthcare, environment, governance, and education.
Fear of change is natural. It happened during the Industrial Revolution too. But humanity has always learned to control and use powerful tools — even something as destructive as atomic energy has been harnessed for peaceful purposes. AI is no different. If we approach it with responsibility, it can help us soar higher than ever before.
You love to recite in Hindi right?
Yes! My first memory of performing in Hindi was a Doha recitation in Kindergarten, for which I won first prize. That thrill of speaking Hindi on stage has stayed with me. Even today, whenever I deliver a speech or debate in Hindi, I feel a different level of connection with the audience — as if the words carry more warmth and depth.
In a world where English dominates global communication, why should students still value Hindi?
I believe English is essential — it connects the world and even within India, it bridges regions where mother tongues differ. But that doesn’t mean we should sideline Hindi. As our mother tongue, Hindi has an emotional resonance that English can never replace. It’s the language in which we express our most personal thoughts, crack our inside jokes, and comfort one another.
Other nations take pride in their languages — go to France, and they expect you to speak French. But here in India, there’s a lingering mindset, rooted in history, that foreign languages are superior. That’s not true. We must be proud of our own language and give it the same dignity we give to English. Hindi is not just “a language for informal settings”; it’s capable of depth, sophistication, and power in every arena — from literature to diplomacy.
How has Apeejay Noida supported you as a Hindi orator?
Apeejay Noida has been my second home since Nursery, so its role in shaping my love for Hindi is huge. The school has always celebrated Hindi through events like Doha recitation, poetry writing, street plays (nukkad nataks), and inter-school competitions. Nukkad nataks, in particular, taught me how Hindi can be used as a tool for social awareness.
Even now, with the launch of student-led clubs, our Hindi club Samvad gives students like me — who no longer have Hindi as a subject — a space to engage with the language creatively. It’s a way to keep the connection alive, share our passion with peers, and inspire juniors to embrace it.
Your final message to students about Hindi?
Don’t think of Hindi as “less” than English. Both have their place, both have their beauty. But Hindi is ours. It carries centuries of culture, poetry, philosophy, and emotion. Don’t restrict it to casual conversations or comic relief — use it in formal settings too. And most importantly, drop the idea that good Hindi means poor education. Language is not a measure of intelligence, but a reflection of heritage. Cherish it, nurture it, and be proud to speak it.