HYDERABAD: President Ramnath Kovind heaped praise on the Telugu language, calling it a “global language” and a “bridge language between North and South India.”
He said Telugu is heard everywhere across the world from Africa to Asia to America. Telugus form a large part of the Indian diaspora, especially in the United States. Telugus are successful, holding posts in public office, as doctors, technocrats, entrepreneurs etc. Mr Kovind mentioned Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to back his point.
Mr Kovind was the chief guest for the closing ceremony of the five-day World Telugu Conference that ended on a colourful note at LB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Mr Kovind also praised Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s interest and fluency in Telugu language. Although the President spoke in English, he did speak a few lines in Telugu at the start and at the end amidst cheers from the big gathering in the stadium.
Mr Kovind spoke of Telugu personalities who had contributed to the nation. “Krishnadevarya was known for his good rule and love of Telugu language. Three past Presidents (Dr S. Radhakrishna, V.V. Giri, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy) and a former Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, had a Telugu connection. Works of Nannaya, Tikkana, Gurajada Appa Rao, Sri Sri, Vattikota Alwarswamy, Dasarathi etc are very popular and so are Tyagaraja and Annamaya keerthans,” the President said. Komaram Bheem, Cha-kali Ailamma, Bhagy-areddy Varma, and Swami Ramanand Tirtha influenced others’ with their lives and work.
Like the Telugu people, the Telugu language has been receptive to words, thoughts and ideas from other languages and regions, the President said.
Mr Kovind lauded the Manabadi programme of the government that focuses on spreading Tel-ugu language and culture among young children.
