JOIN USFormer bureaucrat Manu Baligar, who retired as Commissioner of the Kannada and Culture Department, is now contesting for the post of Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP). The election will be held on February 28.
Addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, he said that he would continue the works carried out by predecessor Pundalik Halambi and Harikrishna Punaroor and would not accept the monthly honorarium from the Parishat if elected to power.
He appealed to Kannadigas to make their choice based on his merit during the election to the Parishat. “I will discharge my duties in a transparent manner keeping in mind, the regional balance, social justice and other criteria mine,” he added.
If he gets elected, Baligar said, he would focus on initiating more experiments in Kannada language and organise a world Kannada literary meet.
Baligar, who has several books to his credit, said that with the experience of having worked for the promotion of Kannada and culture as an officer for the last four decades, he will further for the promotion of Kannada language.
Listing out the various awards he had received for his works and for his service towards Kannada language – including the honorary doctorate he has received from Karnataka University – Baligar reminded that Kannadigas should make their selection based on the merit during the election to the Parishat. He said that he has been touring different parts of the State to seek vote based on his work.
Baligar said that he has been engaged in literary works for the last several years. He has served as the administrator of Kannada Sahitya Parishat twice, and had organised national and international conventions. “If elected, I will ensure that more grants are released to organise taluk and district level Kannada literary meets. Several programmes will be chalked out to attract women from rural areas and youth as well as IT professionals towards Kannada,” he promised.
Later, speaking in Udupi, he said that he would initiate measures and also recommend for the implementation of the recommendations made by Dr Chidananda Gowda committee on introducing software to Kannada language. The recommendations are partially implemented. This would create awareness among youth on Kannada language and help them to develop interest in the language.
He added he would ensure half the amount funding for the Kannada Bhavana in each district, if the district-level office-bearers come forward with land and the matching grant.
The fund for taluk-level Kannada Bhavana will also be released if elected as the President.