Amit Shah addresses 6th convocation of IITE Gujarat; calls for need to preserve native languages

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday attended the 6th convocation of Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE) in Gandhinagar. While addressing the IITE convocation, Shah emphasised on educating children in their mother tongue is an important role in nation-building.

A total of 2,927 students graduated from IITE Gujarat in eight different courses. Out of this, 2,000 are girl students and of the seven gold medalists, six are girls.

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The aim of this institute (IITE), founded by prime minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, was to unify the eastern and western educational philosophies, Shah said.

While addressing the convocation, Shah said that it is the responsibility of citizens to protect and promote their languages. Therefore, he added, every citizen should take a decision to teach their children in their mother tongue.

“The perceptive, reasoning, and decision-making power of children who study in their mother tongue become extremely strong, which plays an important role in nation-building. If our resolve to teach our children in the mother tongue is realised, then no one can stop the country from progressing,” Shah said.

Shah encouraged students to make small resolutions that would have a major impact on the nation. These resolutions, Shah added, can be as simple as, “I won't throw away any food. I won't avoid paying taxes. I'll start making energy-saving moves. I will obey traffic laws starting today.”

Many dignitaries including the Governor of Gujarat and Chancellor of IITE Acharya Devvrat were present on the occasion.