Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that literature and poetry focused on social good are timeless and that is why epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata continue to inspire today.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Visakha Sahitya, a literary organisation, he said that literature is a medium through which the greatness and pride of a nation is reflected. He also said that writers, poets, intellectuals and journalists should give priority to social good in all their writings and works.
“The culture and traditions of a country play an important role in shaping the literature. We will be able to protect our culture only if we preserve our folk literature.”
Referring to the richness of the Telugu language, he said that every aspect of our life, including our dress, eating habits, festivals, customs and occupations, is reflected in literature.
He said that protecting and preserving Telugu and other Indian languages would enable us to preserve our culture and guide the coming generations to walk on the right path.
The Vice President expressed happiness that primary education is being imparted in Koya language through Telugu script in 920 schools in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh.
He suggested that it is necessary to acquire proficiency in one’s mother tongue before learning other languages. He urged the parents to take necessary initiative in this regard. He urged writers to pay special attention to children’s literature and suggested them to find new ways to popularize such literature.
He recalled the contributions of eminent writers Mullapudi Venkataraman and Chinta Dikshitulu in this regard. He praised Vishakha Sahitya for its efforts to popularize Telugu literary works.
On this occasion, Tourism Minister of Andhra Pradesh M. Srinivasa Rao, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University PVGD Prasad Reddy, President of Visakha Sahitya Prof. Of. Malayavasini and Secretary Gandikota Vishwanatham were present.
.