Telugu Identity at Risk If Language Is Neglected: Justice NV Ramana

Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice NV Ramana, expressed deep concern about the declining prominence of the Telugu language, warning that if this trend continues, the very identity of Telugu people may vanish.

He made these remarks during the centenary celebrations of Dr. Janamaddi Hanumachhastri, held at the CP Brown Library in Kadapa.

Justice Ramana described Telugu as a melodious language and lamented recent attacks on its status. He noted that the grip on the Telugu language has weakened since the bifurcation of the Telugu states.

He criticized political leaders for focusing solely on welfare and development while neglecting the preservation of the Telugu language. He highlighted that very few Chief Ministers have taken steps to protect the language.

He praised the contributions of British scholar CP Brown to the Telugu language and commended Dr. Hanumachhastri for his efforts in establishing a library in Kadapa.

Justice Ramana observed that many people are abandoning Telugu in pursuit of jobs abroad, emphasizing that mastering one's mother tongue can facilitate learning other languages.

He pointed out that several countries prioritize their native languages and communicate exclusively in them.

Sharing his personal experience, Justice Ramana revealed that he studied in a street school and rose to prominence, emphasizing that English is not the only path to success. He noted that many prominent personalities in India achieved greatness after studying in Telugu-medium schools.

He urged Telugu speakers to draw inspiration from neighboring states that work diligently to preserve their native languages.

He also suggested establishing and developing a Telugu University in the state. Interestingly, he remarked that Telugu-speaking people abroad seem to preserve cultural traditions better than those in India.

Justice Ramana advocated for recognizing Telugu as a second official language in both Telugu states. He dismissed the notion that language proficiency is directly linked to job opportunities.

Criticizing a previous government's attempt to replace Telugu with English as the medium of instruction, he revealed that he had urged the current Chief Minister and Education Minister to retain the old education policy.

He concluded by stating that the belief that jobs are guaranteed solely by learning English is a misconception.