Delhi Public School R.K. Puram organised a Guest Speaker Programme on 14 January 2026, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., offering students of class IX an inspiring opportunity to engage with Padamshree Prof.Tomio Mizokami from Japan.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome of the esteemed Chief Guest, Prof.Tomio Mizokami who was felicitated by the Principal, Mr Anil Kumar. This was followed by the introduction of Shri. Tomio Mizokami, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University, Japan, and a renowned scholar of Indian languages and literature.
Born in Kobe, Japan, in 1941, Prof. Mizokami pursued Indian Studies and completed his PhD from the University of Delhi, specialising in sociolinguistics and language contact in Punjab. His illustrious academic career includes teaching at premier institutions such as Osaka University and the University of California, Berkeley. A linguist of exceptional calibre, he is proficient in several Indian and foreign languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, Tamil, and German. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to literature and education, he was conferred the Padma Shri in 2018 by the President of India.
The audience was treated to a soulful musical performance by the school choir, beautifully capturing the spirit of harmony and highlighting music as a universal language that transcends borders and cultures.
Invited to address the gathering, Prof. Mizokami shared about his deep ties with India; expressing his profound admiration for Indian culture, its people, and its linguistic diversity. Speaking in chaste and fluent Hindi, he highlighted the warmth and inclusiveness of Indian society and its remarkable ability to make foreigners feel at home. His address offered students valuable insights into Japanese culture and values while reinforcing the significance of cross-cultural understanding.
This was followed by an interactive question and answer session in which students enthusiastically engaged with the speaker, posing questions in Hindi and Punjabi, making the interaction lively and memorable.
The event proved to be a truly enriching experience, inspiring the audience to look beyond boundaries and appreciate the shared human values that unite cultures across the world.