Say 'namaskar', not 'good morning', says Vice President
Panaji, Sep 28: Indians should let go the colonial mindset and greet people with 'namaskar' rather than with 'good morning', 'good afternoon' and 'good evening', Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday.
Naidu, speaking at a convocation ceremony organised by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here, said that while he was not against English language, India should break away from the mindset imposed by British colonial rulers.
"Namaskar is our 'sanskar' in India. That is applicable in morning, evening and night too," he added.
The Vice President said that as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he had done away with colonial practices which were outdated.
He recalled how, recently, a section of the media misquoted him as calling the English language an illness when he was talking about protecting and encouraging the mother-tongue.
"I did not say it. English is not an illness, English is welcome. You learn (it). But English mind, which we have inherited from the British rule, is an illness. Britishers have gone, their mindset remains," Naidu said.
Naidu appreciated the institute for not sticking to the customary black convocation gown, routinely worn by students at such ceremonies.
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1,600 Indians travel to India on 5 Qatar Airways flights amid airspace curbs
Doha (PTI): Around 1,600 Indian nationals travelled to India on five Qatar Airways flights on Tuesday, even as the airline continues to operate limited services due to restrictions on Qatar's airspace, the Indian Embassy here said.
The flights included two services to Delhi and one each to Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the embassy said in a social media post.
"In total, about 1600 Indian nationals travelled on Qatar Airways flights today," it said.
The mission noted that Qatar's airspace remains largely closed and Qatar Airways is currently operating only limited, non-scheduled flights.
The airline has announced services to nine Indian destinations starting Wednesday, and passengers can make bookings through the Qatar Airways website, mobile application or authorised travel agents.
The embassy said it continues to facilitate temporary Saudi transit visas for stranded Indian nationals wishing to travel to India via Saudi Arabia by crossing the Salwa land border.
The mission will remain open on all days in the coming week to provide consular services, including issuance of passports, while its control room and helplines through phone, email and WhatsApp will continue to function on a 24/7 basis.
It urged the Indian community to follow instructions issued by Qatari authorities and exercise responsibility in sharing information to help maintain public safety and community stability.
The embassy and Indian community organisations have also collaborated to support members of the Indian fishermen community in Qatar by providing dry rations to those in need.
Tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following the US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28.
