JOIN USFestive fervour has pervaded the district with pro-Kannada organisations preparing for a grand celebration of the D Day, there is disappointment over none from the district selected for the Rajyotsava award by the State government this year.
The award was conferred on poet B R Lakshmanrao from the district last year, it reinvigorating pro-Kannada activities and organisations.
There are several problems that Kannadigas and Kannada organisations face here.
Difficulties to win
The Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit doesn’t have a building of its own. Land for the proposed Kannada Bhavana has been identified but construction work is yet to begin.
Kannada schools are downing the shutters while other languages in the border taluks have become hegemonic. Despite the shortcomings and lack of facilities, the district has a rich heritage of literature and culture.
A list of persons from all taluks who contributed to various fields was sent to the Government, recommending for the award. Two from Chikkaballapur, one each from the remaining five had been recommended. As the number of awards was limited to 50 only this year, there was fierce competition and the district lost the race.
The public and the elected representatives are unhappy. A pro-Kannada activist, Ravi, said Union Minister Veerappa Moily promised to sanction funds for construction of Kannada Bhavana, whenever he visited the district, but didn’t keep his words.
“Instead of taking steps to promote the cause of Kannada in the region dominated by other languages, the government is taking retrogressive step by closing the government-run Kannada medium schools for want of student strength, said Leelavati, a teacher.