CHENNAI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday urged Tamils to speak their mother tongue at home. Speaking at the 13th Convocation of SRM University at Kattankulathur campus, he said Tamils should avoid speaking in English with their family members. “There is nothing to feel proud of children calling their parents ‘Daddy’. Mother, place of birth, mother tongue and motherland are the most essential things and it should be protected and respected. Education that does not mould character is absolutely worthless,” he said.
Stating he would ask Telugus too to speak their mother tongue, he said Tamils should learn as many languages as possible, including Hindi and French. “During the anti-Hindi agitation, I blackened Hindi signage boards at the post office and railway station in Nellore. After getting appointed as national general secretary (of BJP), I felt that I have applied the black ink on my face,” he said. He added that though students can learn anything from the internet, Google cannot replace gurus (teachers), he said.
Referring to demonetisation, the Vice President said the move had given the address to crores of hidden money in the country. “Demonetisation has found the address of hidden money. This would help the government to reduce taxes and provide effective governance,” he said. He said every finance related transaction between Government and an individual should happen digitally without the intervention of officials, he said.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit said Tamil Nadu was a frontline State in higher education with an array of specialisations and if people are making a beeline to this State, it is because of the quality of education”, he said.
Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K P Anbalagan said Tamil Nadu stood high at the national level with 24 of the top 100 institutions being in the State.
Nearly 6000 diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students in various disciplines from the faculties of Engineering and Technology, Science and Humanities, Medical and Health Sciences and Management received their degrees. About 185 students were presented gold, silver and bronze medals for their academic achievements.