Asad’s Telugu speech wows World Telugu Conference

Hyderabad: All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s speech in Telugu at the inaugural session of the World Telugu Conference (WTC) here on Friday has come as a pleasant surprise to the audience.

AIMIM leaders, including Asaduddin Owaisi, were never heard talking in Telugu language, either in the legislature or in their public meetings. However, reading from a written speech, the AIMIM president, expressing happiness for holding WTC, applauded the State government for promoting Telugu and Urdu languages.

During his short speech, he said the Hindus and Muslims had been living like milk and water in Telangana, since the times of Qutub Shahi kings. This set as an example of the unity between the two communities, setting an example for the entire country, he said.

He said Hamidulla Sharif, who lived in the old city, had translated the sacred Quran into Telugu. Similarly, another prominent writer Kapur also served Telugu, writing several books in that language, he added.

He said Telangana State was poised to become number one in the country with the developments taking place in the industrial, information technology and other fields performing well. He said India was home for thousands of cultures and languages. “By celebrating the WTC, we prove to protect the unique culture of our country,” he said.

“I am a Telugu in South India, 'Telangana Vaadini' in the State and in Hyderabad, I am Urdu speaking Hyderabadi,” he said. Concluding his short speech in Urdu, Asaduddin asked to forgive, if he had made any mistakes while speaking in Telugu.