Karnataka - Belgaum   

Be wary of vested interests, Puttappa tells people

Staff Correspondent

`Nadoja' Enagi Balappa felicitated in Belgaum

Patil Puttappa

BELGAUM: Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa has appealed to people living near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border in Belgaum to be wary of vested interest which are exploiting the linguistic sentiments of people for their political and commercial gain.

He was speaking at a function organised to felicitate him and noted Kannada theatre personality Natyabhushan Enagi Balappa. The Kannada University (Hampi) conferred upon the latter the "Nadoja" award at KLE Society's Lingaraj College here on Saturday.

Unsatisfactory reaction

Regarding the recent developments following the dissolution of the council of the Belgaum City Corporation as a result of the former Mayor Vijay Pandurang More adopting a resolution in connection with the "merger" of Belgaum and other border areas with Maharashtra, Mr. Puttappa said the decision of the council was uncalled for.

The State Government's reaction to the resolution was not satisfactory, he added.

Despite attempts by some vested interests to keep Marathi and Kannada speaking people divided, the two linguistic communities have maintained a good relationship.

Boundary dispute

It is time pro-Maharashtra groups understood this deep-rooted relationship and interpreted it in a positive manner instead of politicising the boundary dispute, he said. People should look into history to find that several important developments that have taken place in Maharashtra have their root in Karnataka. He quoted veteran leader from Maharashtra and Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar who ruled out the possibility of Belgaum being merged with Maharashtra.

He said there is no reason to worry for Karnataka on the issue. He emphasised the need to establish an organisation for the development of Kannada in border areas.

The organisation should help bridge the linguistic gap, which will go a long way in strengthening harmony of the region, he added. Mr. Balappa attributed the "Nadoja" honour to Kannada theatre and all those have worked for the survival of indigenous theatre.

He said the experience and knowledge he has acquired by producing, directing, composing songs and acting is more than what he has learnt in any school.

Book released

Mr. Puttappa released a book "Nimma Nenedagle Udaya" by B.S. Gavimath, writer and former principal of KLES's ITI. Karnataka Natak Academy member D.S. Chougale spoke about the book.

Sri Siddaram Swamiji of Nagnoor Mutt was present. The function was presided over by MLC and KLES Chairman Prabhakar B. Kore. Secretary of KLES F.V. Manvi and college principal Baswaraj Jagjampi were present.

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