By bringing in amendment to Constitution, there is need to make Kannada as medium of education in primary schools, seventh Kannada literary meet President Sridhar Hegde said. He was speaking at Madikeri taluk literary meet here on Tuesday.

“Such a move of the Centre is necessary to protect Kannada language.  When Karnataka government had come forward to make Kannada as medium of instruction, the constitutional hurdle came in the way. The Centre should amend the constitution to safeguard the interst of regional languages.”

The literary meet President said the State government should formulate a policy to provide employment to those who study in Kannada medium. At any cost, the govt should not close down Kannada medium schools. Incentives should be provided for the students of Kannada medium. New Kannada medium schools should be opened at border areas,” he said.

Lauding the cultural policy prepared by Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa, he said Ramachandrappa had urged the government to set up tribal university. As Kodagu district has a large population of tribals, it is better if the government opens the university in Madikeri, he said. Hegde said to give boost to tourism, there is a need to give green signal for the Mysuru-Madikeri railway line. Measures should be initiated to check elephant-humanbeing strife. Language centre should be set up in Madikeri, he added.

Inaugurating the meet, ZP President Chodumada Shareen Subbaiah said parents should create an atmosphere for learning Kannada at home. Litterateur Prakash Koodige said that literary meet should reach out the people.

Kannada literary meet has highlighted on religious harmony. Sharanas have worked for the progress of Kannada language through Vachanas in the 12th century, he added. 

Literary meet immediate past president B R Joyappa, ZP Vice President  Allaranda Beena Bollamma, Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat President T P Ramesh and others spoke. A collection of poems “Rathayathre” by Dr Karibasappa was released on the occasion. Advocate and writer Balasubramanya Kanjarpane said “Kannada is one of the language which is on the verge of extinct.

There is a need to protect Kannada language.” Delivering valedictory address, he said there is a need to create awareness on Kannada language and literature to the younger generation.