Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
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Bengaluru, Jan 19: Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, announced that an independent Konkani Study Chair would be set up in Mangalore University for conducting research and development of Konkani language.
He made this announcement while speaking after conferring honorary awards, book awards, and youth awards at a ceremony organized by Karnatraka Konkani Sahitya Academy at Samsa open air auditorium in the city on Sunday January 18.
'Konkani happens to be an ancient language, which has grown and undergone changes with our people. Therefore, the need for setting up of a separate chair for conducting study and research in this language has been felt. This chair will come into existence in Mangalore University with effect from the next academic year. The government will be extending all kinds of support and cooperation the chair needs,' he stated.
Siddaramaiah also attributed the immense popularity Konkani has earned in spite of the fact that it does not have an independent script, to the literary and cultural richness of the people having this language as their mother tongue. He also appreciated the fact that Konkani language is being conserved and nurtured by speaking at homes and providing education in schools. He hailed people speaking Konkani as individuals with high level of self respect and self esteem.
He found it unique that Konkani is spoken by Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike. He said Kodava, Tulu, and other languages which are sister languages to Kannada will also get government's full support for their growth.
Padma Shenoy from Mangaluru (literature), Koni Sheshagiri Nayak (art), and Gajanan Mahale from Dharwad (folklore) received honorary awards. Book awards were given to Naveen Kurmbil from Kinnigoli for his collection of short stories, Dr Nageshkumar G Rao Manipal for his collection of poems, and J V Carlo Hassan for his translated work. Youth awards went to Ashwin M Prabhu from Mysore (music), Prajwal M Nayak from Bengaluru (Yoga), and Arun Nayak (Akashvani artist).
Academy registrar and entrepreneur, Dr B Dayananda Pai, speaking on the occasion, noted that Tulu Study Chair already exists in Mangalore University. He demanded for setting up of a separate Konkani Study Chair, and promised to collect Rs 50 lac out of one crore rupees needed for the purpose from Konkani-speaking people, and urged the government to contribute the other half. He said that the language will get further impetus for its growth and recognition if it gets a chair in a university run by the government.
Kannada and culture minister, Umashree, noted that Konkani-speaking people, in spite of being small in numbers in comparison, have achieved great things and spread out even in foreign countries. She admitted that it is the government's duty to provide scope for growth of Konkani.
Academy president, Roy Castelino, and MLA, J R Lobo, too addressed the gathering.