Inculcating a reading habit in children strengthens foundational literacy: Naidu - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Inculcating a reading habit in children strengthens foundational literacy: Naidu

PTI | , Cuttack/bhubaneswar
Apr 03, 2021 09:31 AM IST

On Friday, M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, asked educationists, intellectuals, parents and teachers to emphasise on inculcating a reading habit among children as it strengthens their foundational literacy and personality.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said inculcating reading habit among children from a young age will help strengthen their foundational literacy and personality.

Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu(Instagram/ mvenkaiahnaidu)
Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu(Instagram/ mvenkaiahnaidu)

The vice-president called upon the educationists, intellectuals, parents and teachers to bestow special attention in promoting the reading habit among children and underlined the importance of reading in the development of children's personalities.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"This is imperative for their (children) personalities to develop and to wean away children from excessive use of gadgets," Naidu said while addressing Odia Adikabi Sarala Das's 600th birth anniversary function in Cuttack.

While stressing on the uses of mother tongue among the people, particularly children, the vice-president said reading and writing should be inculcated by teachers to strengthen foundational literacy. More authors should write books for children. These books should be written and illustrated keeping in view the children's varying interests and abilities, he said.

Noting that he has been championing the cause of promoting the use of the mother tongue in every state, the vice-president said: "Firstly, the medium of instruction up to primary school must be in the mother tongue or local language. Many studies have already catalogued the advantages of studying in mother tongue during early schooling. Besides, the administration and the judiciary too should use the local language to effectively communicate with the people".

On Adikabi Sarala Das's literary achievements, Naidu said the Mahabharata written by him has not dimmed among Odia people even after hundreds of years because of his unique style and diction. He said this shows the importance of writing and communicating with the people in simple, colloquial language.

Hailing Sarala Das as not just Adi Kabi, but also as Adi Aitihasika (historian) and Adi Bhougolbith (geographer), Naidu said Sarala Das was a pioneer in democratizing literature as he had used colloquial language as early as the 15th century.

Naidu compared Sarala Das with Kabir and Yogi Vemana, while highlighting great poets having an extraordinary ability to communicate complex emotions and ideas in a simple language and leave a lasting impression on a wide cross-section of readers.

Hailing Sarala Das as a literary genius, who earned the title of 'The Father of Odia Language', Naidu said that he has enriched Odia language and culture. "No wonder, Odia came to be recognised by the Government of India as a Classical Language of India with Sarala Das standing as a beacon", he added.

On this occasion, Naidu complimented Biswa Bhushan Harchandan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, for being conferred with the prestigious 'Kalinga Ratna'.

Earlier in the day, the vice-president has released the book titled 'Neelimarani My Mother, My Hero', written by MP Achyut Samanta at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.

"Generally we read biographies of great leaders, entrepreneurs and explorers. But it is heart-warming that today we are releasing the biography of a mother, because it is the mother who makes a man or woman great through her upbringing and values. I congratulate and compliment Achyuta Samanta ji for putting down in words the life and struggle of his late mother Smt Neelimarani j," he said.

On his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Naidu was welcomed by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On