Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 1: Noted scholar, Prof B A viveka Rai felt that giving crime the color of religion and caste helps it spread like epidemic. "It does not help in building a healthy society," he added.

Delivering the valedictory address at the 23rd Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at Kudmul Ranga Rao town hall here on Thursday January 31, Rai said that great persons like Manjeshwar Govind Pai had stayed firmly in their own soil but had grown up by turning toward the world. "They also contributed immensely to the growth of literature. Because of such broadmindness, he could write 'Golgotha' about Jesus," he explained.

"Even though Shivaram Karanth was from Kota, he visited houses of Dalits in all places including Puttur, Beltangady, Bantwal and Sullia. He personally observed their way of living and recorded the same in his notebook. He also visited the residences of Malekudiyas and paid attention to their style of living. Muliya Thimmappayya, Kadengodlu Shankar Bhat, Sara Abubakker and others grew on acount of continuous efforts they made to understand the outside world," he narrated.

Rai lamented the fact that nowadays, people are getting confined to their castes, religions etc and get happiness out of self glorification. He said that because of this mentality, we are seeing obnoxious exhibition of material wealth. He advised people to get rid of false prestige at least now and try to understand the outside world.

Chairman of Alva's Education Foundation, Dr M Mohan Alva, noted that even now a large number of students have been studying in Kannada medium even though about three lac students who appeared for SSLC examination the previous time studied in English medium. He however, noted with concern that the condition of Kannada schools is not good. He felt that if every school is built on the lines of CBSE and ICSE, students will continue to study in Kannada medium. He said that at Moodbidri, even now, on an average, 200 applications from students interested in studying in Kannada medium are received everyday.

Sammelan president, Dr B M Hegde, was felicitated. He said that he was tired of sitting through the Sammelan for three days. He said that silence is golden and ended his succinct address by wishing everyone well.

Kadri Navneet Shetty and Sudhakar Rao Pejavar delivered congratulatory addresses. Karnataka Bank chief executive officer, Mahabelshwar M S, Tulu Academy president, A C Bhandary, Harikrishna Punarur, veteran artiste, Kadri Gopalnath, Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy and others were present.