Naidu said that in addition to promoting their mother tongue, people should try to learn as many languages since they are a means for communication and it would empower them.
Published Mar 06, 2025 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 06, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that he believes learning multiple languages is always beneficial. Naidu said that he will promote the teaching of more than five languages in all universities in Andhra Pradesh. His remarks came amid the controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu’s unwillingness in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which mandates a three-language policy.
Amid the controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu’s unwillingness in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which mandates a three-language policy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that he believes learning multiple languages is always beneficial.
Naidu said that in addition to promoting their mother tongue, people should try to learn as many languages since they are a means for communication and it would empower them.
He was speaking to the media on Wednesday, 5 March, after meeting Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharman separately.
A controversy erupted after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds would not be released for Tamil Nadu unless it implemented the NEP.
Tamil Nadu government responded by stating that it would never implement the three-language policy, claiming that it was an attempt to impose Hindi in the state.
Naidu said that he will promote the teaching of more than five languages in all universities in Andhra Pradesh.
“I am going to promote five to 10 international languages in every university so that students can study them and work abroad. The world needs your skills. It’s not just about three languages, but multiple languages,” he said.
He also pointed out that polyglots have always achieved the greatest success.
“What I am saying today is that we must promote our mother tongue. Earlier in Andhra Pradesh, the previous government promoted English, believing that only English could provide livelihood. But we have made it clear—language is only a means of communication; it is knowledge that truly empowers people,” Naidu said.
“Look at Indians, many from rural backgrounds. People who speak Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and other regional languages are excelling globally. Why is that? Even the CEOs of Google and Microsoft—name any company—prove that knowledge is different from language,” he added.
Naidu also explained the benefits of studying various languages.
“We must promote Telugu, use English as an international language for livelihood, and learn Hindi to connect with more people,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sumit Jha.)
