Create job opportunities for Kannadigas, says KDA chief

Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman L Hanumanthaiah has urged the Union and the State governments to create job opportunities for Kannadigas to safeguard the language.

He was speaking at a programme organised to present the “Kannada Madhyama Prashasti” at Kalamandira here on Sunday.

The Authority conferred awards on 517 students from Mysuru division,  who have secured highest marks in SSLC and PUC in Kannada medium, during the academic year
2014-15.

Hanumanthaiah said governments must ensure employment for Kannadigas by creating opportunities in private sector also.

As per the recommendations of the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report, a major chunk of jobs in Karnataka should be reserved for local people.

Speaking about job opportunities in the banking sector and the Union government, Hanumanthaiah said, Kannadigas are not having job opportunities in these sectors due to the abolition of the Regional Recruitment Board (RRB) of late . Earlier, the banking sector used to hire regional candidates through RRBs. According to him, nationalised banks have only 20 per cent Kannadiga employees.

He urged the Kannada organisations and the district administrations to set up coaching centres for training students to take up competitive examinations.

“Governments must bring in a uniform education system. The parents should educate their wards in Kannada medium or mother tongue,” he said.

Students studying in Kannada medium should be proud of the fact that they are contributing for the development of Kannada language, Hanumanthaiah said.
He called upon the Kannada medium students not to feel inferior compared to students from English medium.

“A majority of the parents feel that studying in English medium has a greater influence on their children’s future. But, several prominent people who decorated top positions in various institutions - scientist CNR Rao and Justice N Venkatachala, had studied in the Kannada medium.”

Teaching in mother tongue would contribute to the overall development of the nation as students can easily grasp the topics, he added.

The State government is much concerned about the development of Kannada and has kept aside  Rs 330 crore for various activities. The authorities need to utilise the funds earmarked in a proper manner, he suggested.

Writer Kalegowda Nagawara said that child labour is rampant in the country. Government should open residential schools in every district headquarters to educate such children and bring them to the mainstream.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction H R Basappa, Kannada and Culture department Deputy Director Nirmala Matpati and others were present.