JOIN USNoted space scientist and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, K Kasturirangan, has urged the Karnataka government to extend all facilities and support to the newly started Kannada language chair in JNU.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Kannada language chair here on Thursday, he said the State government’s support was very important to keep the centre functioning and fulfil its purpose.
He also promised that JNU would also extend all possible help to the chair to make it an important study centre so that it can attract more students in the coming days.
As Kannada is one of the vibrant languages of the country, the centre will certainly function as a key organisation in spreading Kannada and its rich history, he said.
Participating in the function, noted historian S Shettar said there was an urgent need for translating Kannada texts into other Indian languages and the newly started centre should take the lead role in it.
He said the Karnataka government should sanction more grants to the centre for its stability and continuity. As the centre has to take up a lot of activities, including workshops, seminars, conferences and lectures, the Karnataka government must grant more money by replanning its funding pattern.
The Kannada language chair started functioning at the Centre for Indian Languages, School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies of the JNU, on October 1. Scholar Purushothama Bilimale assumed office as head of the chair.
“The primary activity of the centre will be Kannada language teaching, literary studies, cultural studies, digital archives and work towards disseminating the history and culture of Kannada,” Bilimale said.
JNU vice chancellor S K Sopory was present on the occasion.
The Karnataka government provides Rs 50 lakh per year to the chair for a period of five years for both academic activities as well as for maintenance of the establishment.