News & Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Dec 6: “Language is the source of knowledge and essence of culture. Culture cannot be viewed separately from language. Hence, language is the basis for knowledge and culture”, said education expert C H Krishna Shastry Balila.

Balila was supposed to chair the 14th taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelan held on P B Hussain Kunhi stage in Nadumogaru Devadatta Sharat Adapa auditorium at Ajilamogaru Kuttikkala School, near here,
on Sunday December 5, but due to his ill health could not attend the programme and instead his video recording was screened via an LCD projector at the venue.

In his speech, Balila seriously reviewed the educational sphere in the life of a student when he or she is likely to create literature. The administration has to introduce a uniform education system for
the entire state without the distinction of English medium, aided schools, and unaided schools. He said that Kannada should be taught in school at least up to Class VIII and all schools should be covered
under uniform education. Balila added that Kannada should thrive in every school.

“Uninteresting, non-useful and grammatically complicated Kannada textbooks cause setbacks to students and kill their interest. Therefore, the need of the hour is to create textbooks that hold the
interest of students”, he emphasized.

“It’s a reality of society that a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer, or the rich get more respect in society than a Kannada post graduate and a lecturer. The false priorities of making money also contribute to setbacks for Kannada. The quest for knowledge has become least priority and hardly anybody encourages children in their education sphere,” said Balila expressing concern.

“School and public libraries are essential in promoting language and culture. It’s unfortunate that most of these libraries are not well-maintained. If the state administration introduces Bhagya Saraswati project like Bhagyalaxmi, it will bring about much desired literacy in every village and household,” he stressed.

Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj inaugurated the 14th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Mangaloreans should stage a united struggle for uniting Kasargod with Karnataka since the struggle has been not carried forward vigorously chiefly due to lack of will
power and offered to join them in their struggle.

MLA B Ramanath Rai, veteran litterateur Erya Laxminarayan Alva, Kannada Sahitya Parishat former state president Harikrishna Punaroor, past Sammelan president Padekall Narasimha Bhat, and taluk panchayat resident M Babu also spoke on the occasion.

Zilla panchayat member M Tungappa hoisted the national flag while Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura hoisted the Kannada flag. Taluk panchayat member Kanchalakshi inaugurated
the book exhibition. Sarapady gram panchayat president Vanita Gowda inaugurated the Kannada Bhuvaneshwari procession.

Sammelan welcome committee president Sarapady Ashok Shetty welcomed the gathering. Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat president B Tammayya delivered the introductory address. Sampat Kumar
proposed the vote of thanks while Parishat secretary V Su Bhat compered the programme.