To mark the completion of 175 years of ‘Gujarat Vidhya Sabha’ today, established by the stalwart of Gujarati literature Kavi Dalpatram, the chief minister Bhupendra Patel remained present.

The institution, promoting Gujarati literature since 1848, was founded by the famous Gujarati writer Dalpatram and an English administrator Alexander Kinlock Forbes. Though it was called Gujarat Vernacular Society before, it was renamed to ‘Gujarat Vidhya Sabha’ later.

In his speech, he appealed to all for joint efforts to preserve the pride of cultural-literary-linguistic heritage while assuring full cooperation of the state government to boost the activities of institutions like Vidya Sabha.

“To take pride in our heritage, we first need to preserve it,” he said in his speech.

Indicating the government’s efforts for the preservation of the mother tongue, Gujarati, he said that the state has made the language compulsory for classes 1 to 8.

“Coming from Gujarat- being a Gujarati, is a matter of pride,” he said about the language and its importance for the people of the state. 

“People in Japan have stuck to their language, they are not using English. We should stick to our language, too,” he said.

“Gujaratis are quick to adjust. If someone is speaking in Hindi with us, we oblige to that and try to accommodate, that’s how we are.”

However, he was quick to point out the importance of English and its coexistence with other languages. He stated that English is important, there is no denying it, but one should take pride in their own language.

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