According to him, the school environment not only failed to teach the language but actively discouraged its use.

In an emotional video, he recalled how speaking Malayalam in school was punishable. As a student in Class 7, he was made to write the line "I will not speak in Malayalam" a hundred times as a penalty. Over time, what began as punishment slowly shaped his perception-turning his own language into something he subconsciously associated with shame.

He explained that he never learned to read or write Malayalam properly and had to piece together whatever he knows through everyday interactions. The absence of formal learning has left a lasting gap in his life.

Beyond communication, the loss runs deeper. He shared his inability to access Malayalam literature in its true essence. Renowned writers like Madhavikutty, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, and K.R. Meera remain out of reach for him in their original form. While translations exist, he feels they cannot replicate the emotional depth and cultural nuance of the original language.

Describing his experience, he used a powerful metaphor: it feels like standing outside a house that has always been his, but without the key to enter. He likened it to hearing the birds of his land but not knowing their names, or witnessing rain without knowing how to express its scent in his own language. Despite belonging to the place, he feels like a stranger within it.

His story has sparked widespread discussion on social media.

Many users criticized school systems that discourage regional languages, calling such practices outdated and harmful. Some pointed out that Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a two-language policy under CBSE, often prioritizing Hindi and English over regional languages like Malayalam or Marathi.

Others shifted the focus to parental responsibility. Several users argued that language preservation begins at home, suggesting that parents play a crucial role in ensuring children stay connected to their roots. Some even shared personal examples of raising multilingual children by consistently speaking their mother tongue at home alongside other languages.

The debate highlights a larger question: while English opens doors to global opportunities, should it come at the cost of cultural identity?

This story serves as a reminder that language is more than just a means of communication-it is a connection to heritage, emotion, and belonging. Losing it can feel like losing a part of oneself.