Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)

Mysore, Feb 9: On behalf of Hampi University, the prestigious ‘Nadoja’ honour was bestowed on great Kannada litterateur, S L Bhyrappa, at his house in Kuvempunagar here on Wednesday February 8. Hampi University vice chancellor, Dr A Murigeppa, handed over ‘Nadoja’ citation and a miniature statue of Goddess Saraswati to Bhyrappa on this occasion.

Speaking to reporters thereafter, Bhyrappa clarified that his earlier statement supporting the need to teach Sanskrit in schools has been largely misunderstood. He said knowledge of Sanskrit helps one to use language properly, and recalled that former union education minister, M C Chagla, in spite of being a Muslim, had recommended introduction of Sanskrit as a subject at high school level. He pointed out that Sanskrit words abound in various other languages, and hence knowledge of Sanskrit comes in handy in learning any other language.

Saying that many journalists and Kannada writers of the present day need to imbibe basic knowledge about the language, he said knowledge of Sanskrit will take care of this shortcoming. He reminded that Kannada litterateurs like Kuvempu and Bendre had studied Sanskrit, and explained the difficulties he went through to learn Sanskrit after becoming an adult, a problem he could have easily overcome, had the language been taught at schools.

“I could not attend the convocation of Hampi University to receive the honour, as I had other commitments. I am happy that the university officials came here to hand over the title to me,” he said.

Hampi University registrar, Manjunath Bevinakatti, director, Dr F B Hallikeri, finance officer, Gurulingappa Hosamani, Dr B Vasant Kumar, Dr Hampanna, and others were present on the occasion.