Schools should make poetry reading compulsory: Naidu

Bhubaneswar: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged schools to make poetry reading and appreciation a compulsory part of their curriculum.
“I urge schools to make poetry reading and appreciation a compulsory part of the curriculum. I also ask the universities to encourage literature, arts, and humanities education.
“I believe that it is crucial to promote arts and culture to build an enlightened and healthy society. Arts nurture creativity in society. Without a creative voice, the society will become stagnant,” said the Vice President while addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 39th World Congress of Poets at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University here.
“Poets can be influencers and opinion-makers. They have the unique potential to shape thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. I am confident that they will use this tremendous power at their disposal, to build a better world,” Naidu said.
“Artists enliven lives. Some artists transform our lives. They change our perception, our world view. Artists are the conscience keepers of society. They constantly question the absurd and the illogical and help instill positive values in society.” He said that poetry helps to promote peace and harmony in society and foster universal brotherhood.