JOIN USKSP AGM discusses Cauvery, Endo
The row over ‘Cauvery’ created tensed situation for sometime, at the 96th annual general body meeting of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, at Dharmasthala on Sunday.
The need for comprehensive development of Hyderabad Karnataka, ban on endosulfan, dropping of project tiger were some of the issues discussed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Kannada Sahitya Parishat Bangalore Urban unit President T Thippesh alleged that the Centre is following step motherly treatment towards Karnataka in the distribution of water from river Cavery and he demanded a resolution condemning the injustice caused to Karnataka in connection with the distribution of water.
However, as Thippesh raised the issue after the president of the programme spoke, a few members took objection citing procedural lapse by Thimmesh.
The parishat members from Koppal and Raichur districts said it is improper to raise any issue after the presidential remarks of the annual general meeting is over.
Members from Hyderabad-Karnataka region said they are not opposed to resolution on Cauvery, but protocol of the AGM can not be violated. After heated exchanges, DK unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Pradeep Kumar Kalkura who chaired the AGM, in place of President of Parishat Pundalik Halambi pacified the members.
The meeting decided to urge the government to develop Raichur, Koppala along with Gulbarga.
Later, Thippesh said that he had sought permission of the president of the AGM to place the resolutions adopted at the executive committee, including the one on Cauvery. “As the MC had not given an opportunity to raise the issue before the Presidential speech, I had to raise the issue after the Presidential speech. I had no intension to create confusion in the meeting,” he clarified.
Ban on endosulfan
Sringeri taluk unit President G M Surendra said that the KSP should take up the issue on endosulfan victims. “The use of Endosulfan should be banned completely. The extensiuon of Project Tiger and Unesco tag on Western Ghats too will affect the culture of Malnad,” he said.
In his presidential address, DK district Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that in an era of multi-culture, Kannada is losing its charm. People are living in a notion that speaking in English is essential.
There is a need to create a revolution on Kannada culture at the grass roots level. Chikkanayakanahalli member Basava Murthy had given suggestions to make amendment in byelaw.
Amendment
Reforms mooted include revising life term membership fee from Rs 260 to Rs 500, election to post of taluk units of the parishat, reserving post of vice-president of state unit of the parishat for women, and creating post of assistant/organising secretary for the parishat.
Parishat honorary secretary Sangamesh Badavadagi said there are few restrictions for the amendment. It has to be discussed in various committees.
Kalkura said “the changes should be discussed in byelaw amendment committee. The issue will also be discussed at a special meeting in Bangalore.”
Create awareness
Earlier inaugurating the AGM, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said that there was a need to increase the quality of Kannada Medium schools along with creating an awareness on Kannada language.
He said “Kannada medium schools are in deplorable condition. Kannada medium schools should not be allowed to close down. It should compete with the English medium schools.” Kannada Sahitya Parishat should not be restricted to literature alone. It should be ready to fight for Kannada land and language.
To create awareness on Kannada language and culture, Dharmasthala Shanthivana Trust has distributed 50,000 books among the primary and high school students in three to four districts.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat immediate past president Dr Nallur Prasad also spoke.