'No one organisation owns Kannada language'

Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, declaring that the Kannada language belongs to all Kannadigas, said no organisations can claim themselves the ambassadors of it.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the 20th district Kannada literary fest organised by Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat on the premises of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Kateel on Friday, the Union minister said, “These days, people belonging to some organisations claim themselves to be authorised to speak on Kannada language, which is not a good development. Such organisations should be kept at a distance, for all Kannadigas are the ambassadors of Kannada.”

Stating that literary meets should be centres of social change, he felt there is a need of literature that can guide the youth.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy said, “One need not have to panic about the future of Kannada language as it has a bright future and is rich enough to face competition posed by other languages.”

Recalling that 30 years before, many discussions held in both the houses of the assembly were in English, he said, “Today, all discussions are held exclusively in Kannada. Also, the elected representatives are insisting upon officials to issue circulars in Kannada.”

District Kannada literary meet former president K P Rao handed over the literary meet flag to the current president Dr N Sukumar Gowda.

Sukumar Gowda stressed on the need for imparting basic education in the mother tongue. He said it was noteworthy that English medium schools do not use the language as a medium of communication, but use it as a medium of examination.

Students are made to mug up lessons in English, which does not help students to improve their communication skills. Even leaders like Gandhiji, Rabindranath Tagore and Gopalakrishna Gokhale had recommended for education in mother tongue at schools, he added.

Manipal University former vice-chancellor Prof B M Hegde felicitated Pad-dana artiste Gidigere Ramakka, writer Keshava Ucchil, instrumentalist Lingappa Serigar, Musician Saroja M Rao, multi-linguistic scholar Lakshmandas Velankar, writer A P Malathi, Yakshagana Guru Mambadi Subrahmanya Bhat, Bharathanatyam expert K Muralidhar Rao and others on the occasion. A cultural procession was taken prior to the inaugural function. The procession was inaugurated by Zilla Panchayat member Ishwar Kateel.

The National flag was unfurled at Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari PU College premises by Kondemoola gram panchayat president Geetha Poojarthi while the Parishat flag was unfurled by Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president S Pradeep Kumar Kalkur.

Minister for Sports, Youth Empowerment and Fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain, Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel, Zilla Panchayat president Asha Thimmappa Gowda, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, Kateel temple priest Vasudeva Asranna and Lakshminarayana Asranna, Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor and musician Kadri Gopalnath were present.  A book exhibition was also held during the fest.