'Promote use of Kannada'

Delivering the presidential address, at the Sahithya Sammelan held at Galibeedu Navodaya Vidyalaya, he said “there are evidences to prove that Kannada was in use during fifth century. The villagers play pivotal role in the growth of the language.

Kannada, which has a history of thousand years, is facing threat owing to the influence of globalisation. The schools are on the verge of closure. Owing to the influence of English, about, 3,600 regional languages have died in the world.”

There is a need to wake up and work towards protection of Kannada language. In this background, the medium of education in primary schools must be Kannada.

“We are not against learning other languages. However, we should not sideline Kannada,” he said. According to history, the Veerashaiva kings brought Kannada to Kodagu. Along with Kannada, Kodava language grew in the district, he added.

Kaloor said if infrastructure is provided in villages, then the migration of villagers to the urban areas can be checked. District Kannada Sahithya Parishat should organise ‘Nudihabba’ in all the villages. The Parishat should also organise Kannada singing competition in the schools and colleges.

The sammelan president was brought to the venue in a colourful procession from Galibeedu Government Primary School to Navodaya Vidyalaya premises. The Sthree Shakthi members, Anganwadi workers, folk teams, students participated in the procession. The children dressed up like Kannadambe, Akkamahadevi, Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Onake Obavva, Sarvajna added to the glitz of the procession.

Zilla Panchayat president Ravi Kushalappa, District Kannada Sahithya Parishat president T P Ramesh and others were present.
Resolution

The  Sammelan passed five resolutions

For the decentralisation of literary activities, the elected representatives should take up activities related to literature, language and culture. Members of various associations should be persuaded to take up the membership of Kannada Sahithya Parishat. It urged the government to solve the row over Jamma Bane.

The resolution also demanded the sanctioning of a medical college to Madikeri taluk. The district administration should take up the work on constructing Kannada Bhavana in Madikeri. The meeting also decided to urge to direct all the departments to address district headquarters as Madikeri and district as Kodagu.

Prior to the inauguration of the sammelan, the Sammelan President Nagesh Kaloor was brought to the venue in a procession from Galibeedu Government Primary School to Navodaya Vidyalaya. Sthree Shakthi members, Anganwadi workers, folklore teams, students took part in the procession.

‘No Coorg’

Uttar Pradesh Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya teacher Maruthi Dasannanavar said that there is a need to stop the use of word Coorg, which was coined by the British.

Delivering a lecture on “Our role in the use of Kannada language” at the sahithya sammelan, he said “we should use the word Kodagu. The British had spoilt the Kannada names for the local places by renaming it.”