Chennai: The Telugu language is appreciated among neighbouring states and across the world while it is neglected by the Andhra Pradesh government, noted linguist and writer Yarlagadda Laksmi Prasad said.

Speaking at the 11th bi-annual meet of the World Telugu Federation (WTF), here on Saturday, he said it is upto the people to work for the development and growth of Telugu language and culture. He urged the audience to refrain from looking upto the politicians to save the language from neglect. In a veiled attack on AP IT minister Nara Lokesh, he said the plight of Telugu language is such that a minister went to Silicon Valley in America and urged the Telugu people there to help save the language.

He recalled the efforts of former chief minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy in promoting Telugu language and culture. People like YSR, Jalagam Vengal Rao, Mandali Krishna Rao and NTR have reserved a place for themselves in history for promoting Telugu language on the world stage.

The WTF meet was presided over by VL Indira Dutt, Tamil Nadu sports minister P Balakrishna Reddy MLC MVVS Murthy and writer Gollapudi Maruthi Rao.