Hyderabad: Potti Sriramulu Telugu University’s plans to run language and literature courses abroad, seems to have come to a halt with the state government not releasing funds to maintain the programme. While there were several takers for Telugu language and literature in countries like Isael, the US and UK, the university is now planning to withdraw from their overseas operations due to lack of funds. The overseas programme which kicked started in the 2008 was meant to cater to a growing section of language conscious Telugu immigrants living in middle eastern countries, US and Europe. The programme had established a chair even in Israel and was planning to begin distance education in countries including UK and US. That was until the state government decided to cut funds for the same. According to officials of Telugu university, while a meagre sum of Rs 10 lakh was to be released to maintain the hope of several language enthusiasts in Israel and US, the state was not ready to release even Rs 5 lakh towards its maintenance.

    “There is a growing demand for such courses in countries abroad as even non Telugus are interested in learning the language, but the state government does not seem to have funds for such a venture,” said an official from the university. The university was offering courses in Hebrew University, Israel and University of California US.

    Telugu university’s decision to discontinue courses has come at a time when several universities in the US and UK are trying to establish Telugu language courses on their own. Educational institutions in US including University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin and University of Berkeley, California have all started their own Telugu courses. Most of the universities offer courses at undergraduate level. According to overseas Telugu enthusiasts, most students enrolled in such courses are interested in understanding the culture of Andhra while some students want to pursue research in Telugu. Interestingly, some of them try to learn Telugu just to communicate with their grandparents or family members.

    The non-Telugu students interested in the language study it to indulge in language research, observers said. “We even have a few Americans enrolled in the Ph.D program and a good number of Gujaratis taking the initiation courses,” said Mohammed Afsar, professor of Telugu at University of Texas, Austin.

    Some student-run organisations in various states in the US are now supporting the learning of Telugu language. One such organisation, UT Telugu Association at University of Texas, Austin is propagating the use of language among non Telugus. “Our members consist of desis as well as Americans who are interested in learning more about this language and culture,” said Divya Yalamanchili, president of the organisation.

    Another organisation, Friends of Telugu is now trying to raise 5 million dollars to set up a Telugu research hub at University of California, Berkeley.