Stating that languages reflect the roots of society, President Pranab Mukherjee today emphasised on the need to create platforms to provide Indian languages greater exposure across the globe. There is no dearth of creativity and talent in Indian languages.

While Indian writing in English has excited the world, we need to create platforms to provide greater exposure to Indian languages so that the creativity embedded in Indian literature is spread across the world, he said during the inauguration of the three-day World Telugu Conference here.

Languages are not merely a means of communication, they along with literature are our heritage, he said. They define and reflect the roots of our society, he said.

Government support alone was not enough for promotion of literature and all stakeholders should contribute meaningfully towards preserving and promoting these and Indian languages.

Tracing the evolution of Telugu, which has been declared a classical language in 2008, he said it was important that its antiquity and civilization must be further explored.

It is our responsibility to make every effort for its healthy growth and development so that posterity can benefit from the vast knowledge and ideas that rest within this language, the President said.

Emphasising the need for concrete plans for creating awareness about Telugu language and literature among the youth, he said steps must be taken to consolidate all research works on Telugu history and to identify and encourage new research projects.

Mukherjee said the present conference was an opportunity for eminent personalities, poets, writers, intellectuals and artists to give a new dimension and vision to the language.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for an International Convention Centre at the conference site here. Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy were among those present on the occasion.

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-PTI