Chennai, May 30 -- Congress MP P Chidambaram on Saturday emphasised the importance of mastering both one's mother tongue and English, saying that proficiency in the two languages can help students grow into scholars, intellectuals and scientific thinkers.

Addressing the 19th anniversary celebration of the monthly magazine 'Ariviyal Oli' (Science Light) at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre in Chennai's Kotturpuram, Chidambaram said students should embrace both Tamil and English without feeling inferior or conflicted.

"Mother tongue and English, mastering both languages can certainly help you become a scholar and an intellectual," Chidambaram said while addressing students and educators at the event.

The Congress leader, who pres...