Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Oct 7: Dharmastala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, who is the force behind the 'Vishwa Tulu Sammelan - 2009' set to be organized at Ujire from December 10 to 13 this year, said that he expect 1.5 lac people to take part in the Sammelan.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday October 6, he said that the Sammelan is being organized with the objective of conserving and giving fillip to Tulu language and culture. "Tulu-speaking people from all over the country and abroad like America, England, Europe etc., will take part in the programme," he explained.

Heggade said that 50 lac people belonging to different religions like Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, speak Tulu. Consultative meetings have already been held to spread information about the Sammelan in Dharmastala, Mangalore and Dubai, he divulged.

Heggade said that the Sammelan might entail an expenditure of three crore rupees and that he expects the government to extend assistance to the extent of a crore of rupees. "The central office of the Sammelan has been opened at Ujire. During the Sammelan, the 'food festival' with various food items of Tulu culture, will be given an added impetus. 51 books and a souvenir, 'Nampu' will be released at the Sammelan. A website, titled www.vishwatulusammelana.com, has been set up for providing information and pictures relating to the Sammelan. Demonstrations, sessions, exhibitions and competitions are being organized at different parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts relating to Tulu culture," he added.

Heggade also said that the Sammelan, being held with the concept of 'Kode-Ini-Yelle', will also see the participation of scores of Tulu language scholars, writers, artistes, educationists, leading businessmen, industrialists and supporters of Tulu. Answering a question, he informed that the Samelan will pass a resolution, urging the government to start teaching Tulu at the primary level.