NEP’s language focus step towards realising Tilak’s dream: Shah

NEW DELHI: India’s new education policy and its emphasis on Sanskrit and other local languages is a step towards realising freedom fighter stalwart Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s dream to celebrate India’s own linguistic strength, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Saturday.
Speaking at an ICCR event to commemorate Tilak on his 100th death anniversary, Shah said the leader had asked for delegates at a Congress plenary to speak in Hindi and in other Indian languages, and India’s new education policy follows in Tilak’s footsteps to help students connect with the Indian culture and roots.
Shah’s speech at a function by ICCR was significant seen in the context of BJP in recent years seeking to “appropriate” non-Nehru-Gandhi leaders in the Congress pantheon whose views on nationalism are perceived closer to saffron formulations.
Addressing the webinar, Shah said PM Modi’s idea of self reliance was a leaf out of Tilak’s own ideas and teachings about Swaraj and Swadeshi.