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Naidu hailed Rao as a “great statesman” whose bold reforms continue to shape the country’s progress even today
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu addresses a gathering at a memorial event for former PM Narasimha Rao in New Delhi. (PTI photo)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday defended the importance of learning Hindi and praised former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao as a scholar who mastered 17 languages.
Naidu made the comment while speaking at a lecture on “The Life and Legacy of former PM Shri PV Narasimha Rao” in New Delhi.
“While today we are all asking, ‘Why should we learn Hindi?’, former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was a scholar of 17 languages, he didn’t just learn Hindi but other languages too and that’s how he became a great man,” the Andhra CM said.
CM Chandrababu Naidu ( @ncbn ) wades into the language row, says, ‘While PV Narsimha Rao learnt 17 languages, we are questioning the importance of learning Hindi’While addressing a lecture on former PM PV Narsimha Rao in Delhi, CM Chandrababu Naidu defended learning Hindi… pic.twitter.com/7vXHTl3xUE
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025
Naidu’s remarks come amid fresh debates over the promotion of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states and fears of language imposition.
In his address, Naidu hailed Rao as a “great statesman” whose bold reforms continue to shape the country’s progress even today. He credited Rao with launching India’s economic liberalisation during a time of deep financial crisis.
“Before 1991, India followed the socialist economic model. Economy saw ‘licence raj’, foreign investment was limited… was facing a major economic crisis. exchange reserves hit an all time low. We were forced to pledge our sovereign gold,” he said.
“It was time to bring bold reforms, and usher in forward-looking policy. He became (Rao) PM in June 1991, he recognised the crisis was an opportunity, and that India needed bold economic reforms. He launched the historic economic reforms,” Naidu said.
“He changed the future of India, we are all here today enjoying the fruits of this reform,” he said.
Naidu pointed out that Rao led a minority government, which made pushing such reforms even more remarkable. “He (Rao) was heading a minority government, not a comfortable government. To bring in bold reforms, political consensus is required. He was able to convince all stakeholders,” he said.
He also praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for building infrastructure during his tenure and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring political stability and driving economic growth.
“Modi ji brought not just political stability, but also a renewed sense of global pride,” Naidu stated.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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