Thiruvananthapuram

Students not knowing their mother tongue is a serious situation, says Kerala CM

From our online archive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the government was concerned about students getting degrees and clearing postgraduate courses without studying the mother tongue. ‘’I am not sure whether the situation is the same in other states. But the government considers the situation serious,’’ he said while inaugurating a cartoon exhibition organised by Malayalam Pallikoodam, a forum that encourages the study and popularisation of Malayalam.

One can understand his motherland’s tradition, culture and nature only if he knows his own mother tongue, said the Chief Minister. For which, one should turn towards his mother tongue.   Noting that the new generation was drifting away from their own culture and tradition, Vijayan said that everyone should strive for bringing about a change. ‘’A child now is not able to name a plant in his surrounding. This is because of his lack of knowledge in mother tongue,’’ he said.

The CM said educated people are now living as illiterates. ‘’Though educated, these people would have to seek the help of others when filling a form in the panchayat. This is only because they are unaware of their mother tongue,’’ he said.  The cartoon exhibition ‘Kannirukki Kalam’ by Unnikrishnan depicts the various social, political and cultural spheres of the state. It  is being held as part of the 60th  anniversary of state formation.

SCROLL FOR NEXT