Former Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu Emphasizes Returning to Indian Roots
Former vice-president Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu urged Indians to reconnect with their roots during the Lok Manthan Bhagyanagar-2024 programme in Hyderabad. Addressing attendees from Hyderabad and nearby districts, he expressed concern that many have forgotten their language, traditional attire, and culture. He called for a revival of these traditions to strengthen cultural identity.
Naidu inaugurated the Lok Manthan Bhagyanagar-2024 exhibition at Shilparamam, which will run for four days. He praised the richness of Indian culture for its harmony with nature and animals. However, he noted that Western influences have significantly impacted Indian culture, language, literature, music, and instruments, leading to a shift in mindset.
Importance of Mother Tongue and Tradition
The former vice-president stressed the importance of prioritizing Indian languages, particularly one’s mother tongue, over foreign languages. While he clarified that he does not oppose English, he compared the mother tongue to eyesight and English to spectacles, highlighting that the latter holds little value without the former. He urged people to take pride in their native language and practice.
Explaining the purpose of the Lok Manthan-2024 programme, Naidu said it aims to shed the colonial mindset and reconnect with traditional roots. He recalled cultural practices such as offering sugar to ants and milk to snakes, which symbolize the deep connection Indians historically had with nature. However, he lamented that many have become overly influenced by Western culture, leading to a disconnect from heritage.
Inspiration from Leaders Educated in Mother Tongue
Naidu highlighted the accomplishments of President Droupadi Murmu, former president Ram Nath Kovind, and ex-Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, all of whom were educated in their mother tongues. He also shared his own background, noting that he studied in a local school and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who did not attend a convent school, rose to global prominence.
Proud of his traditional attire even during his tenure as Vice-President, Naidu encouraged others to embrace their culture and identity with pride. He dismissed the obsession with English as unnecessary and called for greater respect for Indian literature, music, and traditional instruments.
Fostering Cultural Practices and Family Values
Naidu pointed out that Telugu-speaking people abroad cherish their language, while many in India are overly focused on English. He emphasized the Hindu tradition of recognizing divinity in nature and highlighted the importance of life stages like brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sanyasashrama. He urged everyone to foster a friendly relationship with nature and practice traditions that enhance quality of life.
He also advocated instilling hard work and physical activity in children from an early age, suggesting yoga as a means to build physical and mental strength. Additionally, Naidu underlined the importance of the family system in Hindu culture, urging people to strengthen family bonds, spend time with elders, and preserve this unique tradition, which he believes can serve as a model for the world.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to Participate in Lok Manthan
Union Minister and Lok Manthan Bhagyanagar-2024 Reception Committee Chairman G. Kishan Reddy announced that President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the four-day event on Friday. He also confirmed that RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will participate for three days, offering guidance on topics such as the family system, social equality, Swadeshi, and other cultural issues.
Reddy urged attendees to avoid using plastic items during the event and emphasized that the programme is apolitical and focused solely on Indian culture. He added that while the exhibition will be held at Shilparamam, the main discussions (Manthan) will take place at Shilpakala Vedika.
