Steephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network-Kasargod(RJP)

Kasargod, Feb 8: "The contribution of Rashtra Kavi Govinda Pai is immense in Kannada attaining the status of the classical language," said member of parliament Dr M Veerappa Moily.

He was speaking after inaugurating 9th Kasargod district Sahithya Samelana at Miyapadavu Vidyavardhaka school in Manjeshwar.

"I have a special respect for Kasargod. This is the district which laid foundation of Yakshagana. I request the Kerala chief minister to constitute a committee to look into the problems prevailing at the border. I am ready to be part of the committee, " Moily added.

"People from the district normally do not avail the government jobs. This deprived them from the facilities reserved for them." said legislator of Manjeshwar, P B Abdul Razak.

"The contribution of Kasargod district to Kannada is unforgettable. Govind Pai's service to Kannada literature is great. Yet we talk about preserving Kannada in the district" said the president of the Sammelana, thinker Dr D K Chowta.

Kannada Sahithya Parishath border unit president S V Bhat and Dakshina Kannada Sahithya Parishath president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura spoke on the occasion. The local legislator P B Abdul Razak inaugurated the art exhibition.

Kannada Sahithya Parishath former president Harikrishna Punaroor, past president of Sammelana Na Da Shetty, Shamshad Shakur, Dr Ramananda Banari, Sandhya V Shetty, Prof K E Radhakrishna, Prema K Bhat and Rajeshwari S Rao were present during the inauguration among others.

'Darbe' written by Dr D K Chowta was released by Na Da Sheety.

Earlier at 9 am flags were hoisted by Dr Jayaprakash Narayana Tholithody (National flag), S V Bhat ( Sahithya Parishath flag) and Sridhar Rao (Kannada flag).

All delegates including the president of Sammelana were brought in a special rich procession of Kalladka bombes and Yakshagana veshas. Secretary C Raghava Ballal proposed vote of thanks.