“Studies by the experts suggest that teaching in mother tongue at the initial stages of education gives impetus to the growth of mind and thought and makes children more creative and logical,” says V-P

Staff Reporter / New Delhi

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today asked citizens of India conserve the unique linguistic heritage of the country. He said language illuminates the world and is a tool for intellectual and emotional expression.

Speaking at a function organised in New Delhi on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Mr Naidu said promotion of mother tongue is very important. He said language is a vehicle of intergenerational transmission of culture.

He also said that tribal languages contain invaluable knowledge and when a language declines, it takes away with it an entire knowledge system.

The Vice President called upon policy makers to see that medium of instruction at the basic level remains in the mother tongue of the people. He said one should learn as many languages as possible without neglecting mother tongue.

On the occasion, students in traditional Indian attires welcomed the Vice President in 22 Indian languages.

International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The theme this year is “Languages without borders”.