Colourful start to Kannada meet

Create Kannada atmosphere in 19 border districts,says Mukhyamantri Chandru

Speaking after inaugurating the 12th district-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelan here, he favoured giving primary education only in mother tongue. A law to this effect should be implemented in all the States.

All the competitive examinations conducted by the government or private companies should be held in regional languages. This would help in the development of regional languages as well as ensure jobs for local unemployed candidates.

Although, four years passed since the classical language status given to Kannada, the Centre had not released funds despite sending a plan of action in this regard. The State MPs should put pressure on the Centre to release grants at the earliest, he added.

Chandru said it was a matter of tragedy that they had to fight for the protection of Kannada in Karnataka. This was because of not making Kannada in all spheres of life.

There is a feeling in 19 border districts that they could survive without learning Kannada. Need of the hour was to hold Kannada related activities in those districts.

 The growth of Kannada language was needed but it was not correct to dislike another language. “Let us allow all the languages in the State. But the linguistic minorities should love Kannada along with their mother tongue. Restricting any language is not correct as it has to grow by accepting new challenges.  There is an immediate need to protect and preserve the treasure trove of old Kannada.

The workshops on gamaka vachana and language should be organised to give the knowledge for the new generation”, he noted. Sammelan president H B Ramesh, Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Nallur Prasad and MLA H S Prakash were present.