Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 June highlighted the growing global reach of Indian culture, citing the remarkable example of a Spanish-speaking group in the Dominican Republic that has taken up the study of Vedic literature and the chanting of ancient Sanskrit mantras. The Prime Minister made the remarks during the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'.

The Dominican Republic Initiative

Modi drew attention to a group called 'Brahmakamal Dominicana', formed by local Spanish-speaking residents in the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation thousands of kilometres from India. Despite the country having an Indian-origin population of roughly 100 people — or possibly fewer, according to the Prime Minister — this group has independently taken up the study of Vedic scriptures and mastered the pronunciation of complex Sanskrit hymns.

'The Indian population there is around 100, perhaps even fewer. Despite this, a wonderful initiative connected to Indian culture and spirituality is underway there. A team has been formed by some Spanish-speaking locals; this team is named Brahmakamal Dominicana,' Modi said.

Learning Without Formal Training

What makes the group's effort particularly notable, according to Modi, is that its members received no formal instruction in Sanskrit or Vedic traditions. Instead, they taught themselves correct pronunciation by listening to audio recordings of the hymns.

'They have received no formal training on this, but they have learnt the correct pronunciation by listening to audio recordings,' the Prime Minister said. The group now chants several significant Vedic texts, including the Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, Sri Rudram, Durga Suktam, and the Devi Mahatmyam, with what Modi described as 'great proficiency'.

Modi's Broader Message on Indian Culture

The Prime Minister used the example to underscore what he described as a steady expansion of Indian cultural influence across the world. 'Indian culture is reaching various corners of the globe today. People across the world are discovering and embracing our songs, music, and spirituality,' he said during the broadcast.

Modi expressed his appreciation for all those working to promote Indian traditions internationally. 'I wholeheartedly appreciate all those who are making continuous efforts to popularise Indian culture worldwide,' he added. This comes amid a broader governmental push to position India's soft power — through yoga, Ayurveda, classical music, and Vedic philosophy — as a key pillar of its global engagement strategy.

Context and Significance

The Dominican Republic is not traditionally associated with Indian cultural outreach, making the organic emergence of Brahmakamal Dominicana all the more significant. Notably, this is not the first time Modi has used Mann Ki Baat to spotlight grassroots efforts promoting Indian heritage abroad — previous episodes have featured similar stories from Japan, Brazil, and parts of Africa. The 135th episode continues that pattern of using the programme as a platform to amplify India's cultural diplomacy narrative.

As Indian soft power gains momentum globally, the Dominican group's self-driven effort to preserve and practise Vedic traditions stands as a testament to the reach of ancient Indian knowledge systems beyond institutional channels.