CALL TO PROTECT KANNADA

TALUK SAHITYA SAMMELAN

Madikeri February 11, 2009

Former chairman of the Book Authority of Karnataka, professor Siddaramaiah called upon the Kannadigas to protect Kannada.

He was addressing the gathering at Kushalnagar yesterday after inaugurating Somwarpet taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelan. He opined that Kannada is rich with the life styles and cultures of yester years. It has place for every one and it accepts language with equality, he explained.

Siddaramaiah regretted that the border issues are politicized. He urged that misunderstandings about the language within Kannadigas should go. Meets like this will unite the people and it will enhance the respect towards language, he said.

Chairman of the Sammelan, Sridhara Aradhya urged the people not to hate individuals for their faults or difference of opinion. The democratic rights should be respected with a right spirit, he said. He opined that awareness about education should be increased and a language and the relationships will improve only through proper education. He said that book culture should be imbibed in every one and more libraries should come up. If English can turn into a international language in fifty years, why cant Kannada, which has twenty centuries history turn into a prominent language, he questioned. He also opined that people who do not know kannada or cannot speak, being in Karnataka should consider it as a shame.

Former minister b.A.Jivijaya spoke on the occasion and said that Kannada language is as important to Kannadigas as mother herself. MLA Appachu Ranjan released the souvenir and said that Kannada should be considered with love by every one.

Resolution was passed urging the government to introduce railway line to Kodagu. A Kannada research station should be started in Kodagu. The Kudige farm land, a centre for many central projects is diminishing in its activities and it should be rejuvenated. A medical college should be started at Kushalnagar. Ten percent quota should be fixed for kodagu youth in the Sainik School at Kudige. Eco friendly industries and tourism industry should be developed. A memorial in the name of former chief minister R.Gundu Rao should be built.