Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 27: Kerala chief minister has assured positive action on complaints about disappearing Kannada nameboards and the renaming of Kannada-origin places in Kasargod district, said Karnataka Border Development Authority (KBDA) chairman Somanna Bevinmarad.
Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Bevinmarad said a memorandum had been submitted to the Kerala chief minister urging that such incidents be prevented, and he responded positively.
He announced that a cultural complex built in memory of noted writer and activist Kayyara Kinjanna Rai—who fought for merging Kasargod with Karnataka—will be inaugurated on September 27 at Peradala in Badiadka, Kasargod. Chief ministers of both Karnataka and Kerala will be invited to the ceremony, he added.
Bevinmarad lauded the contribution of Rai’s family, particularly Prasanna Rai, who generously donated over one acre of land for the project. The cultural complex, built at a cost of Rs 2 crore, will house a library, green room, auditorium and modern furniture. A management committee will be formed to oversee its maintenance.
Highlighting KBDA’s other initiatives, Bevinmarad said 11,000 sq ft of land has been purchased in Goa for a Kannada Bhavan, with Rs 5.15 crore allocated for its construction. Another Kannada Bhavan worth Rs 2 crore is planned at Akkalkot in Maharashtra.
He noted that 658 Kannada-medium schools in border areas currently educate about 1.09 lac students. The authority is providing support for school buildings, furniture, smart classrooms, and transportation facilities, while also addressing teacher shortages.
A proposal to supply Kannada newspapers to these schools is under consideration.
In Mangaluru, KBDA has sanctioned Rs 3.60 crore for a Tulu Bhavan at Urvastore, Rs 3 crore for a Konkani Bhavan, and Rs 3 crore for a Beary Bhavan at Asaigoli. While work on the Konkani Bhavan is yet to be completed, construction of the Beary Bhavan will commence soon, he said.
KBDA secretary Prakash Mattihalli, member A R Subbayyakate, and Konkani Sahitya Academy president Stany Alvares were also present.