Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government
today asked English medium convent schools in the state to
have a song hailing Telugu culture sung in the assemblies
in addition to the national anthem without fail.
"Private convents should make children sing 'Maa Telugu
Talliki Malle Poodanda' song from henceforth," School
Education Minister D Manikya Vara Prasad told reporters.
The government took the decision in the wake of a convent
school in Kadapa district punishing two children for speaking
in Telugu. Placards, with the words "I will never speak in
Telugu" written on them were hung around their necks as
punishment.
The action of the school evoked strong protests from
outfits working for promotion of Telugu.
The government's decision, however, was sharply
criticised by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) which
alleged the song "Maa Telugu Talliki" was against Telangana
culture.
The song, written by late poet Sankarambadi
Sundaracharya, hails Telugu culture and heritage.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 23:01