Grant Classical Status to Telugu : YSR

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday urged Union Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Ambika Soni to take the initiative in facilitating the grant of classical language status to Telugu.

A press release said Dr. Reddy spent considerable time over the telephone talking to Ms. Soni and trying to impress upon her the necessity, especially considering the fact that a high-level meeting is convened in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He also told her that he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 24, 2007 on the issue.

After Hindi, the number of Telugu-speaking people came second in the country. Telugus in India apart, the issue was also dear to an estimated 10 crore Telugu-speaking people living in different parts of the globe, the Chief Minister pointed out.

He told her that there is historical evidence to prove that Telugu enjoyed prominence among ancient Dravidian languages. Dr. Reddy also reminded Ms. Soni that an order issued by Union Ministry of Home Affairs in 2005 also made mention of the importance of Telugu, which has a history of over 1,000 years.

Courtesy: The Hindu