JOIN USThere was a festive atmosphere at Ponnampete on the border of Kodagu district in Virajpet taluk, which is hosting a two-day district-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelan. A large number of students participated in the Kannada literary meet, which commenced on Saturday.
Inaugurating the meet, writer Dr Siddalingaiah said that there is a need to protect Kannada in Kodagu. "A few Malayalam name boards are found in the district. Kannadigas should be awake in the district. There is no need for a Malayalam name board in Kannada land," he said.
Stating that there are ample opportunities for promotion of tourism in the district, he said that the state government should chalk out programmes to safeguard the culture and uniqueness of the district along with the promotion of tourism.
Highlighting the importance of Kannada in the district, he said Kodagu Commissioner Cubbon had removed Lakshminarayanayya from the post of Diwan of Kodagu in 1838. He had written a letter to Governor General in Kolkatta highlighting the injustice met on him in pure Kannada.
Siddalingaiah said, "there is a need to restrict the purchase of land in the district by people from outside the district to protect the culture of the land."
"Field Marshal Cariappa, General Thimmaiah not only brought fame to Kodagu but also the entire country. The people of the district not only guard the border but also protect the language."
Kaveri nadi pradhikara
In her presidential address, Kechamada Subbamma Thimmaiah demanded the setting up of Kaveri nadi pradhikara.
She said "the test reports have confirmed that the water from river Cauvery at several places is not potable. The garbage and sewage from various places enter the river and pollute it. Cauvery is the lifeline of the state. There is a need to check dumping of garbage into the river. If left untreated, it could choke the river flow, " she warned.
"The Kodagu district is the land of warriors and culture. There is a need to protect the culture of the land.", she added.
Arameri Kalancheri Mutt seer Shantha Mallikarjuna Swami, Ponnampete Ramakrishna Sharadhashrama Swaroopanandaji Maharaj were present.