VIT Chennai organised International Mother Language Day and an Indian cultural festival with Desiya Chinthanai Kazhagam on February 21, 2019 at their campus. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and VIT Founder and Chancellor Dr G Viswanathan presided over the event.
The event started with the invocation of Tamil Thai Valthu, lighting of the traditional Kuthuvilakku, and paying floral tribute to the portraits of Tamil Thai, Goddess Saraswathi, and Poet Thiruvalluvar.
In his welcome address GV Selvam, Vice-President of VIT, said the event aims at reinforcing the love for his or her mother language in every student and guide them to uphold the pride of their cultural tradition.
Following this, the students from different parts of the country represented their culture by wearing their respective regional attire. Not stopping short with their representation, they also came forward to highlight the significance and uniqueness of their mother language to the entire gathering.
Viswanathan, in his address, said, "Though India is a land of diversity and it is difficult to govern, as Indians we are one."
Governor Purohit in his message to the students quoted Nelson Mandela: "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language it goes to his heart."
He also said that during his tenure here in Tamil Nadu, he has developed a strong attachment and love for Tamil.
The International Mother Language Day and Indian Cultural Festival came to a grand conclusion after the speeches that inspired and motivated the students of VIT.
Origin Story
- UNESCO in 1999 recognised February 20 as International Mother Language Day.
- The day has since been observed throughout the world since 2000.
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