I will try to keep politics away,' says new Beary Academy chief Rahim Uchil

Mangalore, January 22: The Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy president-designate, Rahim Uchil, on Sunday declared that he would not allow politics to come in the way of the cultural body's primary responsibility of promoting Beary culture and literature.

Speaking at the “Byari academyge mooru varsha: sambhrama” held at the auditorium of Hotel Srinivas here, he during his three-year tenure, which begins on February 6, he would strive to keep politics aside and work for the welfare of the Beary-speaking people.

“I am a worker of a party. It is my duty to respect the leaders of my party who have given me this responsibility. But at the same time, I will make sure that Beary academy does not get a political colour. I will make sure that the body remains a community-oriented and non-political forum,” he said.

Outlining his programmes for the next three years, he said he will soon convene a meeting of the representatives of all Beary organizations to seek their suggestions and guidance. “A number of organizations have strived for the promotion of Beary language and culture. Bearys Welfare Association, Beary Kala Ranga, Beary Parishath, Beary Samskrithika Mathu Sahithyika Sangha and a number of other organizations have contributed to the cause of Beary reawakening. Therefore I will try to involve as many people as possible in devising the programme for the next three years. I will also conduct a review after one year and analyze the positives and the negatives. I will not try to force my decision on the academy members. I will function in a democratic manner,” Mr. Uchil said.

The programme also saw speakers after speakers showering encomiums on the outgoing president of the Beary Academy M.B. Abdul Rehman, who turned emotional towards the end and thanked all those who helped him in making the Academy a model for others through a series of meaningful programmes. He also thanked his adversaries for keeping him on his toes and making him work harder towards realizing his dreams.

“I have tried my best to discharge my duties without fear or favour. My endeavour in the last three years has been to identify the hidden talents and give them a platform. I have also tried to encourage artistes and writers by felicitating them. There may be several deserving people who may have been left out. They should not despair as the Academy will not come to an end with the end of his term. The opportunities are still open. I don't have a magic wand through which I can satisfy everyone,” Mr. Rehman said in his emotion-laden speech.

“I have had a mixed experience. I have had both sweet and bitter memories. I have exhibited lot of patience and 'sabr'. I have ensured that the Academy worked as a team. The new president and his team has the responsibility of continuing the good work that has been taken up during my tenure and ensure that it continued to gain the appreciation and admiration of the people of the district,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, UGMA Haq, senior advocate and notary, said that the outgoing president's achievements should act as a model to the incumbent. G.A. Bava, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, said Mr. Rehman has seen through the difficult period of infancy and it was now the responsibility of the new president to carry forward the good work. “He did not confine the Academy to Mangalore. He organized more than 60 programmes across the state including places like Mysore, Madikeri, Shimoga and Bangalore,” he said.

Abdul Rauf Puttige, founder chairman of Talent Research Foundation, released a Beary book titled “Arabina Nights” authored by Mohammed Kulai. He urged the Academy to discuss on issues of deprivation and backwardness as emphasized in the Justice Rajendra Sachar committee report.

Abdul Rahim T.K., founder president of Beary Sahitya Parishat, urged the Beary community members to develop reading habits and encourage literary talents. “It is unfortunate that the readership in Beary language is very limited. Mr. Kulai himself has told me that his Mitthabail Yamunakka has seen two reprints while the copies his Beary books still remain unsold,” Mr. Rahim T.K. said.

Bashir Baikampady, President Beary Sahitya mathu Samskrithika Sangha, urged the new president of the Academy to make sure writers, theater persons and intellectuals of the Beary community are inducted as members. “I have got an information that as many as 120 applications from the aspirants have already gone to the concerned people. It is also accused that only BJP members were being considered for appointment,” he said.

Beary leader MB Noor Mohammed, B. A. Mohammed Haneef, honorary president of Akhila Bharatha Beary Parishat, Abid Beary, senior manager, Bank of Baroda, Surathkal, B.A. Mohammed Ali, poet, Haji Abdul Razak, president, the Bearys Welfare Association, Mysore, and M.E. Haneef, president Badriya Jamath, Madikeri lauded the achievements of Mr. Rehman.

Former Minister B.A. Mohidin, who presided over the function, said the Beary Academy came into being after years of struggle. “The academy has not come into being just like that. There had been a long drawn struggle behind it. The academy will exist until there is a democratically elected government in the State. “The new president should understand that the Academy should function within a boundary keeping in view the sensibilities of the Beary community. The community is not known for its broad minded approach. It did not celebrate the news of academy formation in a real big way. The community is very sensitive about certain things and the new committee should keep these factors in mind,” he said.

Members and the outgoing president of the Academy were also felicitated. Registrar Umarabba delivered a welcome speech. Sharief Nirmunje sang a felicitation song in Kannada. B.M. Tumbe, compered the programme. P. Mohammed proposed a voted of thanks.