Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 17: Kannada Development Authority chairman Mukhyamantri Chandru urged the government not to dither from its pro-Kannada stance, even if the Supreme Court censures it for owning the policy of making it mandatory to adopt Kannada as the medium of instruction in primary schools in the state.
He was speaking at the fifth Kannada Vijnana Sammelan held on Tuesday September 15 at the Mangalore University Campus here, under the aegis of Swadeshi Vijanana Andolana - Karnataka and Mangalore University. Chandru said that Kannada as a language can grow only if it is effectively implemented in academic and administrative fields. He warned that the language will suffer a lot, if the state does not wake up to the plight faced by the onslaught of other languages. Chandru claimed that Kannadigas have been reduced to minority status in 19 of the 29 districts of the state and expressed the apprehension that if the downslide of the language is not checked, soon Kannadigas may be compelled to reservations for them in their own state.
While admitting that globalization has threatened the existence of several languages, Chandru wanted the people to make conscious efforts to save their language from getting relegated in their own state.
Nitte University chancellor Dr N Vinay Hegde, who inaugurated the Sammelan, said that it would be wrong to construe that English alone has contributed to the development and growth of science. Several regional languages including Kannada have contributed immensely to science, he added.
Retired vice-chancellor of Tirupati Rashtreeya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Dr V R Panchamukhi, delivered keynote address. Bangalore National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences director Dr D Nagaraj and Mysore National Institute of Speech and Hearing Dr Vijayalakshmi were conferred the 'Vishweshwaraiah Vijnana Puraskar' on the occasion. Seven publications were also released.
Prof K M Kaveriappa, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, in his address, stressed the need for a language to grow. At the same time, he wanted more Kannada books to be brought out, to introduce scientific words so that science can be taught and pursued in that language. Borrowing words from other languages becomes unavoidable at times, he felt.
MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Yenepoya University vice-chancellor Prof Sayyed Akheel Ahmed, Ranjan Mooditaya and A C Kori were present. Patron of 'Vijnana Bharati', Prof K M Vasu, delivered introductory address. Sammelan coordinator Prof G N Bhat gave details of the Sammelan. University registrar Dr Chinnappa Gowda welcomed. Prof K R Chandrashekhar proposed vote of thanks. Anusha Shyla presented the programme.