The three-day Prapancha Telugu Mahotsavam (Wor-ld Telugu meet) began at Ongole on Thursday.

The three-day Prapancha Telugu Mahotsavam (Wor-ld Telugu meet) began at Ongole on Thursday.

Union minister for textiles and handlooms Ms Panabaka Lakshmi lamented during the inaugural meet that Telugu people were adopting English as their native language and shunning their mother tongue. Ms Lakshmi asked parents to teach Telugu to their children and speak the sweet language at home.

President of the AP Hindi Academy, Mr Yarlagadda Lakshmiprasad lamented that no one protested the negligence of the state Governor for his absence in the Potti Sriramulu Telugu University convocation last year. He alleged that the government was not interested to protect Telugu as it had not appointed a chairman for the Adhikhara Bhasha Sangham.

Ongole MP, Mr Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and Rajya Sabha member Mr J.D. Seelam said they would take the issue of the Governor to the notice of the government and assured action for protection of Telugu.

Telugu Association of North America president Mr Thotakura Prasad and Ramky Foundation Europe coordinator Mr B. Ramanaidu sought government cooperation to protect Telugu in foreign countries.

Leaders of several Telugu organisations expressed fear that Telugu would disappear by 2020 and demanded action by the government to save the language. They demanded making Telugu the second official language of India by the Union government.

Earlier, Mr Srinivasulu Reddy inaugurated the Telugu Jyothi rally which toured the town with cultural troupes.

Telugu people from all over the country and other nations participated in the meet.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Region> Nellore / by DC Correspondent, Nellore / January 06th, 2012