'Study more on missionaries' activities'

Though from an outset it may so seem that the missionaries had come to India with a sole aim of religious agenda, there is a need to look deeper into their activities, which actually brought about huge transformation in literature and education, opined Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) former vice-chancellor B A Vivek Rai.

Inaugurating the international seminar on ‘Herman Moegling-200th year of his commemoration’ organised by Karnataka Theological College, Karnataka Sahithya Academy and Kittel Foundation at KTC Bishop Jathanna Hall on Thursday, he said that there are details on the attempts of conversion made by many missionaries, their success and failure but there is a need to have an indepth study on various other aspects attached to them.

“When it comes to Moegling, very little has been known to the world while there is much more to be explored about him. One impediment in exploring more on Moegling is the fact that many literature related to him is in Germany and there is no proper channel to translate this into Kannada or English,” he said.

Presiding over the programme, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivshankar Murthy said that 18th-19th century was a turning point in education and literature. “It is undoubtedly due the contribution of the missionaries that the district today stands ahead of many other districts in education and literacy rate,” said the VC. State Sahithya Academy President Prof H M Krishnaiah, Registrar V N Mallikarjunaswamy, KTC Principal Dr Hannibal Cabral among others were present.

Mangalore University Retired Professor  Dr B Surendra Rao, KTC Principal Dr Hannibal Cabral among others presented papers on Moegling and his literary and educational activities during his stay in Karnataka.