English 'empowering' not 'shameful', must be taught to children: Rahul
English is "empowering", not "shameful", and must be taught to every child, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday (June 20, 2025) and alleged that the BJP-RSS don't want poor children to learn this language because they don't want them to ask questions and attain equality.
Mr. Gandhi's comments came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah's reported remarks on English.
In a post in Hindi on X, Mr. Gandhi said, "English is not a dam, it is a bridge. English is not shameful, it is empowering. English is not a chain -- it is a tool to break the chains."
"The BJP-RSS don't want poor kids of India to learn English - because they don't want you to ask questions, move ahead, and attain equality," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
In today's world, English is as important as one's mother tongue because it will provide employment and boost one's confidence, Mr. Gandhi said.
"Every language of India has soul, culture, knowledge. We have to cherish them -- and at the same time teach English to every child. This is the path to an India that competes with the world, that gives every child an equal opportunity," the former Congress president said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
39 minutes ago
- United News of India
Wave of development has reduced Naxal menace to less than 20 districts: PM
Bhubaneswar, June 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that Naxalism will soon be completely eradicated from the country, crediting his government's developmental push in tribal areas for the decline in extremist violence. Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the BJP government's first anniversary in Odisha, the Prime Minister said that before 2014, more than 125 tribal-majority districts across India were impacted by Naxalite violence. He pointed out that these tribal regions were long unfairly labeled as part of the 'Red Corridor' and had been neglected by previous governments, which declared them backward and left them behind. 'In the last few years, our government has worked to bring tribal communities out of a climate of violence and onto a path of development,' Modi said. 'We have taken strict action against those who spread violence, and simultaneously, launched a new wave of development in these areas.' As a result, he stated, the influence of Naxalism has now been reduced to fewer than 20 districts across the country. Expressing confidence, Modi said that with the current pace of development and enforcement, tribal areas will soon be entirely free from the shadow of violence. 'This is Modi's guarantee,' he declared. The Prime Minister emphasised that empowering tribal communities, fulfilling their aspirations, and easing their hardships remains a top priority for his government. He highlighted that for the first time, two major national schemes have been launched specifically for tribal development, with a combined outlay exceeding Rs1 lakh crore. Modi elaborated on the first initiative — Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, under which development work is on in more than 60,000 tribal villages across India. "In Odisha too," he noted, "we are building houses for tribal families, constructing roads, and providing electricity and clean drinking water." Discussing the second major scheme, PM Janman Yojana, the Prime Minister said the inspiration for the initiative came from Odisha itself, and acknowledged the guidance of the country's first tribal woman President, Droupadi Murmu, in shaping the program. He said the scheme focuses on supporting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and that development work worth hundreds of crores is currently being carried out in remote tribal hamlets under this scheme. UNI DP SSP
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sukanta writes to LS Speaker claiming ‘threat to life'
Kolkata: Union minister Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla claiming "grave breach of privilege" and a "threat to life" after his convoy was allegedly attacked in the Budge Budge area in Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Thursday. Majumdar, who is also BJP's Bengal president, was in Budge Budge to meet party workers who were injured following an alleged attack outside the Budge Budge-1 BDO office Wednesday. His visit triggered tensions in the area. The Balurghat MP has accused Trinamool supporters of surrounding his convoy and pelting stones. In his letter to the Speaker, Majumdar cited Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. He stated the mob, allegedly comprising Trinamool workers, gheraoed and violently attacked his convoy, damaging vehicles and injuring several individuals. "The attack posed a direct and serious threat to my life and the lives of those present," the letter said. It added that Diamond Harbour SP Rahul Goswami was present at the spot but "failed to take any preventive or protective action," which the minister termed "wilful negligence" and "dereliction of duty". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "He (Majumdar) should have thought of the implications of his repeated threats earlier when he said he will stop all 100-day funds. He dubbed everyone thieves and robbers. Why cannot he face people now? What stops him from answering them?" "To hide his failure, he will write to his Delhi uncles to shield him, which is not politics. He is educated, a Union minister, and he should refrain from antagonising people," Ghosh added.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Lalu advises umbrellas for ‘downpour of lies' at PM event
1 2 Patna: On the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the 15-year rule of the RJD in Bihar for "jungle raj, mis-governance and dynastic politics", RJD chief Lalu Prasad launched a scathing and sarcastic counterattack, warning the public to carry umbrellas to protect themselves from a "downpour of lies, false promises and illusions" in the state. Sharing an AI-generated satirical video mocking PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Lalu quipped, "There is heavy rain of lies in Bihar today. Hailstorms of false and tempting promises are falling along with thunder. So, be careful." The background score added to the satire, "Jhooth ki bijli kadkegi, ghoshnayon ka toofan garjega, karodo ke package-wala ola barsega… aaj milkar karenge Bihar ki janata se kursi ke liye gujarish… aaj hogi Bihar mein jumlon ki barish." Leader of the opposition in state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , issued 12 questions to the PM, demanding answers during his Siwan speech. "Why did your friend Trump halt Operation Sindoor before consulting you? Who is Trump to interfere in India's decisions?" he asked, referring to an alleged ceasefire under US pressure. Tejashwi also asked about Bihar's position on the poverty index, crime levels and the Prime Minister's repeated visits without addressing core issues. He said railway engines now being exported from Marhaura to Guinea were from a factory set up by Lalu as railway minister. "Will you tell the people of Saran that Lalu Prasad established J P University and three major railway factories here?" he asked. Later, at the RJD office, Tejashwi alleged that the BJP is running a campaign funded by the hard-earned money of Bihar people. "Modiji's speech neither fills anyone's stomach nor provides employment," he said.
