Try to solve problems of tribals: Channabasappa

Speaking at Girijana Samskrithika Samavesha organised jointly by Kannada and Culture department, Karnataka Janapada Academy at Thithimathi Government Junior College premises on Saturday, he said “government should come forward to remove the tears from the eyes of tribals. The government which fail to understand the problems of tribals will be ruined. Elected representatives, officials should try to solve the problems being faced by tribals.”  “Cultural convention help in solving some of the problems. The deliberations of the convention must throw light on the problems being faced by the tribals,” he added.

He said: “After independence, corruption is on rise in the country. There is corruption from top to bottom. Country is morally degraded. We have become morally corrupt. Awareness must be created among people to ward off corruption in the country,” he added. There is a need to put an end to injustice by creating an awareness among people through cultural convention. Academy has planned ‘Janapada jaguli’ programme to create an awareness among youth. Academy wants to hold cultural convention in every college.

“Suspicion is always dangerous. We need to make the programme successful through mutual understanding and trust. We should not forget old while accepting the new. Teachers have a great role to play in moulding the life of a student and help in building a healthy society,” he added.

Zilla Panchayat President V M Vijaya said “owing to the wrong information given during the survey, many of the facilities have not reached the tribals.”  “There is a need to reconduct survey on the status of tribals in Kodagu. Tribals are innocent. They do not have knowledge on various facilities given by the government. Elected representatives and tribal leaders should strive to create an awareness among tribals.”

“Forest is an integral part of tribals. Forest is being preserved by them. However, forest officials are harassing them. According to Forest Rights Act, tribals must be given the land on which they reside,” he said.

Taluk Panchayat President Saritha Poonaccha said: “many tribals do not have RTC. As a result, they can not avail the facilities from the government. Though government is spending crores of rupees for the development of tribals, however, the facilities are not reaching them.”

“There is a need to conduct survey. The products produced by tribals must be provided suitable market. There is a need to support cottage industry among tribals,” she added.
Janapada Academy Registrar Dr S Prasadswamy welcomed the gathering. Kodava Sahithya Academy President Rani Machaiah, leaders P S Motaiah, Kenchappa and others were present.

Various art troupes took out a procession in Thithimathi prior to the programme.
DH News Service