I’m ashamed. I can’t speak in my mother tongue. (Telugu ). I can understand a little but can’t speak, read or write. Reason : Lived most of my life in Pondicherry and Madras. Even though my parents and relatives know Telugu, I speak to them either in english or Tamil. I didn’t want my daughter to make the same mistake. Hence there’s a firm rule in my house that my wife, parents and all relatives stricktly speak only in Telugu to my one year old daughter. It’s amazing how fast these small kids begin to grasp the language. My goal is to start learning along with her !!