President Droupadi Murmu today said students should acquire education in their mother tongue. She said this will not only preserve our rich Indian culture but also uphold the deep-rooted tradition. She said if students embrace their mother tongue as a medium of education, it will improve their talents to a greater extent. President Murmu said it is the duty of everyone to preserve their mother tongue and feel proud of the language. She, however, said one should learn as many languages as one can to broaden their wisdom.

Speaking at the 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das, a great Odia poet and scholar in the 15th century, at Cuttack in Odisha this evening, the President highlighted Sarala Das’s contribution to Odia literature and culture and drew parallels between his work and the importance of promoting Indian languages and heritage in the pursuit of national development. On the occasion, she conferred the Kalinga Ratna-2024 award to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.