Describing Telugu as far more than a means of communication, Dharam Gokhool, President of Mauritius, on Sunday said the language represents a living civilisation with a profound spiritual legacy, binding generations across continents. He was addressing the second day of the Third World Telugu Conference in Guntur, a global gathering that has drawn Telugu delegates from nearly 50 countries.

He highlighted that Ugadi is observed as a national holiday in Mauritius, underlining the deep integration of Telugu culture into the country’s multicultural fabric. Linking the conference to the approach of 2026 and the spirit of renewal associated with Ugadi, the Mauritian President said that while calendars may differ, the responsibility to preserve heritage remains universal.

“Telugu is not merely a language. It embodies a civilisation that is alive, dynamic, and spiritually rich,” Gokhool said, calling the conference a landmark event uniting the global Telugu diaspora. He noted that Telugu, once regional in character, has now become a global language spoken in over 50 countries.

Gokhool said Mauritius recognises Telugu as a third language and uniquely offers Telugu education from primary level to postgraduate studies within its formal education system. He also announced that the next World Telugu Conference will be hosted in Mauritius, adding that a memorandum of understanding has been signed to strengthen academic, cultural, and technological collaboration with Andhra Pradesh.

Highlighting people-to-people ties, he referred to institutions such as the Mauritius Telugu Mahasabha, with 98 branches, and other cultural bodies that have preserved Telugu language, literature, and traditions across generations. He also noted that Andhra Pradesh Day is celebrated in Mauritius on November 1, reflecting enduring cultural bonds.

The Mauritian President praised Nara Chandrababu Naidu for initiatives in artificial intelligence awareness and quantum technology, saying modern tools can play a crucial role in safeguarding languages. Warning that globalisation and excessive reliance on English threaten ancestral tongues, he cited studies suggesting that over half the world’s languages could disappear by the end of the century.

Calling for the use of AI, digital platforms, and multilingual education to protect linguistic heritage, Gokhool reaffirmed Mauritius’ commitment to expanding cultural, educational, and tourism partnerships with Andhra Pradesh.

Other speakers echoed similar concerns. Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu urged people to celebrate Telugu festivals with pride and take Telugu culture to the world, while High Court Judge Justice N Jayasurya appealed to parents to ensure children learn Telugu alongside English.

Jana Sena MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad described Mauritius as a global role model for mother-tongue preservation and expressed confidence that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan would take further steps to strengthen Telugu.

The conference also honoured several individuals for their service to Telugu language and culture worldwide, including Vemuri Venkata Sundara Sastry of Varanasi and NRI philanthropist Talanki Sridhar from Anantapur, who received the Poornakumbha Puraskar.

The conference, organised under the chairmanship of Andhra Saraswata Parishat president Gajal Srinivas, witnessed an unprecedented moment as a serving head of state participated for the first time in a World Telugu Conference. President Gokhool, accompanied by his spouse, was accorded a ceremonial welcome, including a procession to the main dais, where he paid homage to Telugu Talli and later offered floral tributes at the statue of NTR.