Speaking after inaugurating a literary and cultural programme to mark the inaugural of the new office of Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy at Town Hall here on Saturday, he said the coastal districts are the stronghold of Beary culture and language but the use of the language and identity is declining day by day.

“Bearys should not hesitate to identify themselves as Bearys. Their language and culture are unique. They have a good history of trade and business,” he said.

“If the system of joint family is still existing in the State, that is among the Bearys. The apartment culture has almost spoiled the system elsewhere,” Palemar added. Academy President M B Abdul Rahman said the Academy is not for religious interests but for the overall development of the Beary language, literature and culture.

He also said education and literature should become the eyes of Beary community.
Prior to this, the new office of the Academy was inaugurated at Presidium Complex in Attavar. ‘Belkiri’, a quarterly journal of the Academy and a book ‘Beary Chelt’, were released on the occasion.

Former minister B A Moideen presided. MLA U T Khader, State Minorities Development Corporation Chairman N B Aboobakar, Kannada Sahitya Parishat former head Harikrishna Punaroor, district unit President S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, District BJP President Monappa Bhandary and Beary Academy Registrar S H Shivarudrappa were present.

‘River diversion against ecology’

District-in-Charge Minister J Krishna Palemar, who is also the Minister for Environment, said the Netravathi river diversion project would be harmful to the environment.

In his address, he said he has not received any study report regarding the project, but he felt that it would go against the ecology. The organisations like Guruvayanakere Nagarika Seva Trust have taken up the issue with a noble intention, he added.