Naidu calls for Telugu unity, river interlinking at World Mahasabhalu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday made a strong pitch for Telugu unity, river interlinking, and language-driven cultural confidence while addressing a massive gathering on the concluding day of the third World Telugu Mahasabhalu in Guntur.

The three-day event, organised by the Andhra Saraswatha Parishath, drew delegates from nearly 40 countries, reflecting the global presence and influence of Telugu-speaking communities.

Declaring that the platform was not political, Mr. Naidu said he would speak only about unity. “Telugu people may live in two States, but Telugu is our common mother tongue. There should be no animosity between the Telugu States. Whether it is water or cooperation, we must stand together,” he asserted. He reiterated his commitment to making the Telugu community “number one in the world” through unity, cooperation, and confidence.

On water resources, the Chief Minister advocated interlinking the Krishna and Godavari rivers and eventually connecting all major rivers in Andhra Pradesh. Recalling his previous tenures, he said projects such as SLBC and SRBC had enabled the use of Nagarjuna Sagar waters, while the Kalwakurthy Lift, AMRP, Nettempadu and other schemes were completed during his earlier term. He noted that modernising the Krishna Delta helped conserve water and facilitated the Bheema Lift Irrigation Project, while projects like Gutpa, Alisagar and Devadula were taken up on the Godavari.

Citing the success of the Pattiseema project, which ensured water for the Krishna Delta, he said nearly 3,000 TMC of Godavari waters still flow wastefully into the sea every year. Andhra Pradesh, he added, had never objected to Telangana’s use of Godavari waters or its construction of the Kaleshwaram project.

Emphasising language and culture, Mr. Naidu described the Mahasabhalu as a tribute to the mother tongue. Expressing pride that Telugu is one of the six classical languages, he said it is spoken by over 10 crore people worldwide. Recalling literary greats from Kavitrayam and the Ashtadiggajas to Gurajada, Sri Sri, and Dasarathi, he said Telugu’s richness lies in its poetry, proverbs, dialects, and traditions. He credited Annamacharya, Vengamamba, and Molla for enriching devotional literature and remembered Jnanpith awardees Viswanatha Satyanarayana, C. Narayana Reddy, and Ravuri Bharadwaja for their contribution to modern Telugu letters.

Responding to a request by Andhra Saraswatha Parishath president Ghazal Srinivas, the Chief Minister announced that teachers attending the Mahasabhalu would be treated as on duty. He assured full support for the promotion of the mother tongue and said the government would consider appointing court poets and scholars in temples.

Mr. Naidu also announced the establishment of a Telugu University named after Potti Sriramulu in Rajamahendravaram. He stressed that technology would not erase Telugu but serve as a tool to preserve and promote it. Welcoming the decision to hold the fourth World Telugu Mahasabhalu in Mauritius, he praised the Andhra Saraswatha Parishath for its continued service to the Telugu language and identity.

The event was attended by Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju, A.P. Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and other dignitaries. The Chief Minister received a traditional welcome.