A galaxy of eminent personalities on Saturday underlined the need to protect Telugu language, culture, and the love and affection associated with the rich Telugu traditions. They were felicitating octogenarian Janumaddi Hanumath Sastry, who is synonymous with the uniqueness of Telugu language and its cultural heritage at the ‘Sahithya Puraskar' organised by the Lok Nayak Foundation at Kala Bharathi Auditorium here.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Jasthi Chalameshwar observed that not many Telugus got the prestigious ‘Gnanapeth Award' due to lack of unity among the community. Referring to actor Manchu Mohan Babu's regret that he could not speak much in Parliament due to his inability to speak in English and Hindi, the Supreme Court Judge asked why should one feel odd at speaking in his mother tongue in Parliament when others were speaking without inhibitions in their own language.
Githam University Chairman M.V.V.S. Murthy, who was the chairman of the evening event, described Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad as the champion of Telugu literature and culture.
Parents blamed
A.P. High Court Judge Justice Goda Raghuram blamed the parents for encouraging their children to learn English language at the cost of Telugu. Mr. Mohan Babu shared touching experiences of association with NTR and the values he stood for. Later, cash awards were presented by Justice Chalameshwar to literary artist Hanumath Shastry and social worker Sunkapalle Rajyalakshmi.
Former Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad praised the contribution of Lok Nayak Foundation for furthering the cause of Telugu language and culture.
Jaggi Reddy Troupe from Mahabubnagar enthralled the audience.
