KDA fetes 64 students studying Kannada in Kasargod

August 18, 2013

Kasargod, Aug 18: As part of their efforts to promote the use and growth of Kannada language, the Kannada Development Authority feted 64 students studying in Kannada-medium higher secondary and high schools in Kasargod district at a programme near here on Sunday.

In a programme organized by the Authority at Edneer Math near here on Sunday, a total of 64 Kannada-medium students were presented awards based on their academic performance in 2012-13. Kannada litterateur and film director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar inaugurated the programme and presented the awards to the chosen students.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Mr Chandrashekar said that languages created bonds between people and brought them together.

However, it was a misdemeanor to use languages as a dividing force between communities, he said, adding that vernacular languages faced threat of extinction due to the increasing usage of English language.

Today, the rise in usage of English language due to globalisation has led to the decline of several regional languages across the world.

If the usage of Kannada begins to diminish gradually, various cultural dimensions such as folk lore, proverbs, Yakshagana, Bayalaata and festivals will disappear along with it. Love and respect for Kannada language does not necessarily mean condemnation of other vernacular languages of the country. However, along with respect for other vernacular languages, one's first duty and priority should be towards Kannada, he said, encouraging students to use and promote Kannada language.

While 29 Kannada-medium students from higher secondary and high schools in the district with A plus grades in all subjects last year were awarded Rs 7,000 each, 35 students with highest marks in Kannada-medium schools were awarded Rs 6,000 each. All the 64 students were presented with a wristwatch, school bag, Kannada-Kannada dictionary, Kannada-English dictionary and a certificate.

Speaking on the occasion, president of the authority Dr Mukhyamantri Chandru said that it has become inevitable to make efforts to save Kannada language due to several risks it faced such as invasion of English and the inferiority complex among people to speak in local languages. “Although the universal language of English should be embraced in wake of globalisation, we need to delve on the extent it should be embraced and accepted”, he said.

Stressing on the importance of vernacular languages, he said that languages helped in developing friendship and kinship. “Along with retaining our mother-tongue, we ought to show the same respect and love towards other vernacular languages; else we will lose our nationalism,” he said, adding that one should learn other regional languages and forge more bonds.

The programme was presided by Kasargod MLA N A Nellikkunnu, who promised to lend support from the state government to the large number of Kannada-speaking people in Kerala.

Former Chairman of Karnataka Konkani Academy Kasaragod Chinna, former Chairman of Kannada Sahitya Parishad (Kerala Chapter) I V Bhat, president of Parthisubba Yakshagana Kalakshetra (Kerala) Jayaram Edneer and secretary of the authority K Muralidhar were present on the occasion.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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