<p>Dharwad: “If one lakh teachers are not recruited within the next year, the fate of government schools will be sealed. If government schools are closed down, how will Kannada survive?” questioned Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottama Bilimale.</p><p>He was speaking at the Dharmasthala Matoshree Ratnamma Heggade Women’s Literary Award (2023) presentation ceremony, held at the Patil Puttappa auditorium of the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad.</p><p>“7,800 government schools have a single teacher across the state. About 45,000 government schools are being closed and by March 31, 2026, around 36,000 teachers will retire,” he informed.</p><p>“Several languages are on the verge of extinction. According to a report, in the next 40 years, 92% of the world’s population will speak only 8% of the world’s languages. Writers have the responsibility of meticulously documenting, understanding, and conveying the decline of languages to people,” he said.</p><p>“The major impact of globalisation is the downfall of many small communities. When a language perishes, the community associated with it also disappears. Writers should pay more attention to the decline of both communities and languages,” Bilimale emphasised.</p><p><strong>‘Philosophy diminishing’</strong></p><p>“Debates have historically elevated philosophy and enriched languages. However, today, in the absence of such discussions, philosophy is diminishing. The tradition of nurturing thoughts is fading, and a new attitude of ‘I will speak, you must listen’ is taking over. Writers should work against this mindset. They must create literature by blending languages innovatively. Elevating the sanctity of language is the greatest contribution a writer can make,” he stated.</p><p>“When creative writers narrate life experiences, it becomes contemporary history. Some writers can elevate even small subjects to a divine level. The three female writers who received awards today have done just that,” he remarked.</p><p>SDM University Board of Governors member Padmalatha Niranjankumar delivered the introductory speech. The event was presided over by KVS President Chandrakant Bellad.</p><p>SDM University Vice-Chancellor Niranjankumar, SDM Educational Institution Secretary Jeevandhar Kumar, Ningu Solagi, Govindaraj Talakod, Veerappa Poojar, Shankar Kumbi, Shankar Halagatti, and Jinadatta Hadagali were also present.</p>
<p>Dharwad: “If one lakh teachers are not recruited within the next year, the fate of government schools will be sealed. If government schools are closed down, how will Kannada survive?” questioned Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottama Bilimale.</p><p>He was speaking at the Dharmasthala Matoshree Ratnamma Heggade Women’s Literary Award (2023) presentation ceremony, held at the Patil Puttappa auditorium of the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad.</p><p>“7,800 government schools have a single teacher across the state. About 45,000 government schools are being closed and by March 31, 2026, around 36,000 teachers will retire,” he informed.</p><p>“Several languages are on the verge of extinction. According to a report, in the next 40 years, 92% of the world’s population will speak only 8% of the world’s languages. Writers have the responsibility of meticulously documenting, understanding, and conveying the decline of languages to people,” he said.</p><p>“The major impact of globalisation is the downfall of many small communities. When a language perishes, the community associated with it also disappears. Writers should pay more attention to the decline of both communities and languages,” Bilimale emphasised.</p><p><strong>‘Philosophy diminishing’</strong></p><p>“Debates have historically elevated philosophy and enriched languages. However, today, in the absence of such discussions, philosophy is diminishing. The tradition of nurturing thoughts is fading, and a new attitude of ‘I will speak, you must listen’ is taking over. Writers should work against this mindset. They must create literature by blending languages innovatively. Elevating the sanctity of language is the greatest contribution a writer can make,” he stated.</p><p>“When creative writers narrate life experiences, it becomes contemporary history. Some writers can elevate even small subjects to a divine level. The three female writers who received awards today have done just that,” he remarked.</p><p>SDM University Board of Governors member Padmalatha Niranjankumar delivered the introductory speech. The event was presided over by KVS President Chandrakant Bellad.</p><p>SDM University Vice-Chancellor Niranjankumar, SDM Educational Institution Secretary Jeevandhar Kumar, Ningu Solagi, Govindaraj Talakod, Veerappa Poojar, Shankar Kumbi, Shankar Halagatti, and Jinadatta Hadagali were also present.</p>
