ASSAM TIMES POST
Guwahati: Vice president of India M Venkaiah Naidu pursueded to Foster, promote and propagate Native tongue To make sure that each language flourishes and is Bolsterd up.
People should talk at home and with their neighbours in the mother-tongue and should also read more books in their own language, Naidu said while addressing the inaugural function of the 21st North East Book Fair here.
”I am not against any language, learn as many language you can so that you can tell others about your culture, heritage and literature in several languages but the priority should be given to the mother-tongue”, the Vice President said.
”A recent survey shows that only 32 per cent of our children reads non-academic books and we need to change this. Reading habits must be inculcated from a very young age with parents and schools promoting it as fun activity and for enjoyment”, he added.
Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi said that no matter how powerful the digital media becomes, the sale of books and popularity of book fairs is a silver lining and proves that printed books will never disappear from the scene.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that a ”new revolution must be brought in promoting the library network in schools, colleges and universities and teachers must encourage and inspire students to avail the facilities to read more books”.
He also called for publication of more books in the regional languages and local dialects so that these languages are further enriched.
”Knowledge is power and we have to study for which we have to read books. Books have played a pivotal role in our lives. It has always done so and will continue to do so”, Sonowal added.
The 12-day North East Book Fair is being organised by the All Assam Publishers and Book-Sellers Association.
