Chandrababu Naidu: No Harm in Learning Other Languages, Avoid Unnecessary Politics
The Need to Avoid Unnecessary Politics Over Language Learning
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has urged against playing “unnecessary politics” over learning languages. He emphasized that learning Hindi can be beneficial for communication in places like Delhi, as reported by The Indian Express.
The Importance of Mother Tongue and Learning Other Languages
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Naidu, who is also the Telugu Desam Party chief, stated that there is no harm in learning other languages, even though the mother tongue is important.
- Naidu’s remarks come amid Tamil Nadu’s continued opposition to the three-language formula in the National Education Policy.
- The three-language formula refers to teaching students English, Hindi, and the native language of a state.
- The Tamil Nadu government maintains its decades-old two-language policy of teaching students Tamil and English.
The Two-Language Policy and the Telugu Desam Party’s Stance
The Telugu Desam Party is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.
“Whether you are looking to work in the state, in the country, or outside, skills are important and they can be imparted in the mother tongue only,” Naidu said on Monday. “Learning the mother tongue is of utmost importance.”
Although some argue that knowledge can be gained through English, Naidu believes it is mainly gained through the mother tongue.
Encouraging Language Learning and Avoiding Politics
“Let me reiterate once again that language is not to be hated,” the chief minister said, according to The Indian Express. “It is only for communication. So, instead of playing unnecessary politics, we should strive to learn as many languages as possible.”
