Telugu language preservation took focus at an August 6, 2026, gathering in Melissa, Texas, where Manikonda Nageswara Rao and Annamneni Sriram Murthy discussed mother-tongue continuity, cultural roots, family ties and journalism’s shift from print to digital media.
Telugu language and cultural preservation took center stage at a community gathering in Melissa, Texas, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, where editor Manikonda Nageswara Rao and senior journalist Annamneni Sriram Murthy addressed members of the Telugu community.
Mother tongue and cultural roots
Nageswara Rao said language is central to emotional expression and warned that losing a language can weaken a community’s connection to its identity. He urged families living abroad to protect their mother tongue and make a conscious effort to pass Telugu language, culture and traditions to younger generations.
He also encouraged parents to keep children connected with grandparents and elders, saying those relationships can help cultural values and family traditions move naturally from one generation to the next.
NVL Library visit in Melissa
The program was organized under the auspices of Shubham Foundation in Melissa, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Before the community interaction, Nageswara Rao visited the NVL Library, which Nagaraju Nalajala maintains in memory of his father.
Nageswara Rao later joined Sriram Murthy for a meet-and-greet session and responded to questions from attendees about language, heritage and community life.
Journalism and the digital shift
Sriram Murthy discussed changes in journalism, saying public trust in the profession has declined over time. He also spoke about the uncertain future of print media and the changes brought by satellite broadcasting and digital platforms.
His remarks focused on how technology has altered the production, distribution and consumption of news, placing traditional journalism alongside a rapidly expanding digital media environment.
Telugu community members participate
Uma Devi, Kishore, Saichand, Gopichand, Nirmala Yaddulapalli, Sai and Suresh Manduva were among those who attended the program. Lenin, Ananth Mallavarapu, Badri, Ravi and Venkat played key roles in organizing the event.
The gathering brought language preservation, cultural continuity and the changing media landscape into one community discussion, with speakers emphasizing the role of families, local institutions and community engagement in carrying Telugu heritage forward.
