Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Emphasizing that language is central to cultural identity and civilizational continuity, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said that while English is indispensable for competing in a globalized world, neglecting one’s mother tongue would amount to losing one’s very existence. Announcing the establishment of a Telugu University at Rajamahendravaram, the Chief Minister asserted that Telugu is not merely a medium of communication but a living symbol of the people’s roots, traditions and self-respect.

 The Chief Minister was addressing the valedictory session of the three-day Third World Telugu Conference, held at the Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual City in Guntur district, where he participated as the chief guest. He described the conference as a festival that arrived even before Sankranti, celebrating Telugu identity and pride on a global platform. Expressing satisfaction that the venue was named after legendary leader N. T. Rama Rao, he said NTR was the one leader who boldly proclaimed, “I am a Telugu person, and this is my Telugu land,” and took Telugu self-respect to international heights.

Paying rich tributes to Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy, whom he described as the father of modern Telugu, Chandrababu Naidu said the Telugu community would forever remain indebted to his efforts in simplifying and modernizing the language. Recalling the foresight of NTR, he said the establishment of the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in Hyderabad in 1985 marked a historic milestone in institutionalizing Telugu studies. In the same spirit, he announced that a new Telugu University would be set up in Rajamahendravaram in the post-bifurcation era to further strengthen Telugu language, literature and research.

The Chief Minister underlined that language preservation must go hand in hand with technological adaptation. He said rapid advancements in digital tools and artificial intelligence had made it easier than ever to promote and protect languages. “Today, we have applications where speaking in Telugu is enough to get responses. Even those who cannot type can comfortably use the language through technology,” he observed, adding that such innovations democratize language use and make it accessible to all sections of society.

 The Third World Telugu Conference, which began on January 3, concluded after three days of vibrant cultural programs, scholarly discussions and literary exchanges. Telugu language enthusiasts, writers, scholars and eminent personalities from across India and several countries participated in large numbers, making the event a grand celebration of Telugu heritage and global unity.