The Hindu : Kerala / Thrissur News : Language vital for freedom: MT

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Sunday, Apr 11, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thrissur

Language vital for freedom: MT

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR, APRIL 10. The Jnanpith winner, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, has said that retaining the vitality of language was essential for the preservation of freedom in society.

Inaugurating the 70th anniversary celebrations of Sree Kerala Varma Public Library at Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district today, Mr. Nair pointed out that even though Malayalam was being spoken only by a small number of people, it could extend its influence all over the world because it does not have to bear the burden of a long history and the people of Kerala always kept an open mind towards good things.

Emphasising that the people of Kerala were drifting away from the agrarian culture, Mr. Nair said the media had already started highlighting the festivities to usher in Vishu, which was essentially a festival that reminds of richness and blessings of Nature.

What is the relevance of celebrating a festival like Vishu while turning a blind eye to the drying up of our rivers and other water reserves, he wondered.

Expressing concern over the severe drying up of the river Nila, he said,

"For me Nila is much more significant than the greatest ocean in the world. Much of my inner and external life is associated with the river Nila and Koodallur village located on its bank. Nowadays I don't feel like going to Koodallur because the river and its culture had all dried up."

Referring to the recent attacks on Santhinikethan and Bhatnagar University, Mr. Nair said these can not be seen as isolated incidents.

They are part of deliberate ploy, he said. The library president, V. Murali, presided.

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Language vital for freedom: MT