Karnataka - Madikeri   

`Accord classical status to Kannada'

Staff Correspondent

It will make State eligible for a Rs. 10-crore grant: Minister

Madikeri: The Centre should respect the sentiments of the people of the State by according classical language status to Kannada, Kodagu district in-charge and Minister for Science and Technology Ramachandra Gowda, said has said.

He was delivering the Rajyotsava message after unfurling the tricolour and the Kannada flag at the District Stadium here on Wednesday.

If Kannada was conferred the status, it would make the State Government eligible for an annual grant of Rs. 10 crore. This could help introduce Kannada in universities across the world, he said.

Mr. Gowda gave examples to cite Kannada as a language belonging to the first century AD. There was mention of Kannada even in South Africa's Hindu temples, he said.

Although unification of the State was achieved 50 years ago, there was a grouse that development goals had not been achieved to the expected levels. The Government was taking steps to do away with the complaints of regional imbalances with respect to development, Mr. Gowda said. Efforts were also on to solve the Cauvery, Krishna, Bheema river water disputes with the neighbouring States, he added.

The State had the distinction of guarding democracy, thanks to the political statesmanship of leaders. Karnataka had kept alive its cultural tradition even while making use of modern technology, he said.

Mr. Gowda exhorted people who had settled down in the State to respect and learn Kannada. Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Kannada Development Authority, Kannada University were striving for the development of Kannada, he said.

He recounted the glory of "Kannada Nadu" and its dynasties such as Satavahanas, Kadambas, Gangas, Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyan, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar dynasties.

Mr. Gowda said the State Government had taken a historic decision to transfer over 60,000 acres of class C & D lands in Kodagu district from the forest back to the Revenue department. As many as nine persons , were honoured with Rajyotsava Award. They included Anita Cariappa (stage artiste); M.D. Nanjunda (teacher); Shankarayya (folk artiste) and Seetalakshmi Ramachandra (social worker).

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