Will Teach English for Salary, Will Take Telugu Forward for Life: CM Naidu
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has said it is a mistake to think that jobs come to those who learn English.
“Knowledge can be increased only in the mother tongue. We will save the Telugu language at any cost. We will teach English for salary and take Telugu forward for life," he said.
He was addressing a Telugu Language Day event held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Thursday. Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan and minister Kandula Durgesh also spoke.
Naidu said Gidugu Rammurthy Jayanti is being celebrated every year to respect the Telugu language. “Without the language we will not survive. Our language is the source of our culture and traditions. In the US, Telugu is the recognised 11th language," he said.
“Wherever you go, the majority are Telugus. People here have forgotten Kuchipudi. But those in America have not forgotten it. Potti Sriramulu fought for linguistic states. NT Rama Rao spread the spirit of self-respect of Telugu people all over the country. NTR played the first role in promoting Telugu language.”
“We brought the Ancient Telugu Study Centre to Nellore. The YSRC government acted as if English is the guarantee to a better life. Language is for communication. Knowledge increases only when one studies in their mother tongue,” Naidu asserted.
Naidu said, “Let's make Kuchipudi dance more popular all over the country. If you forget the language, the Telugu race will disappear.”
Pawan Kalyan said the previous government did injustice to Telugu. He explained the excellence of Telugu language, but expressed concern over the current plight of the language.
He said, “Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy is not known to today's youth. He was not an ordinary fighter. He worked for several years for the glorification of Telugu language.”
The deputy CM proposed that Telugu teachers should be paid better salaries. “Now, it is difficult to speak Telugu without use of an English word. If we do not give importance to our mother tongue, we will suffer. It is a mistake to think that reading in English will make you more intelligent.”
