The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Indian culture gave divine status to "alphabet" in vedas is an indication to the importance we give to Books and Literature. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 29th Vijayawada Book Festival, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh today. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.The Vice President said that books are our good friends and good books raise our living standards. He further said that when we are in trouble, they show the way. Those who are well educated they are highly regarded in the society and opening a book means opening a new world, he added.
The Vice President said that even women in the Vedic literature are equally involved in writing books and Gargi, Maitreya and others have written several books. He further said that there are many female writers right from the Buddhist era to Tamil Sangam era. In the Vaishnava tradition there are even Dalits and women among Alwars who wrote books, he added.The Vice President said that cinema has a tremendous impact on us and cinema, music and other forms of art to promote peace and tranquility. He further said that everyone to stay united for the development of our great nation.The Vice President complemented the Andhra Pradesh government for taking to promote Telugu language and said that he is delighted to know the government has dedicated the year 2018 for Telugu language protection.