The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Border area schools to get books free

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 01, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Border area schools to get books free

K.N. Venkatasubba Rao

Kannada Book Authority hopes to lend a healing touch to border area Kannadigas through the scheme

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

SPREADING KNOWLEDGE: Books meant for free distribution in border area schools stored at a room at Kannada Book Authority headquarters.

BANGALORE: The Kannada Book Authority (KBA) will soon set an example of what purposeful role a government body can play in social development by distributing free books worth lakhs of rupees to select high schools in the border areas.

The objective of the project is to promote the cause of Kannada and inculcate reading habit among schoolchildren and teachers. The KBA is keen to send a message to border areas that they have not been neglected.

Said to be conceived by KBA chairman S.G. Siddaramaiah, the scheme was first launched with the support of Kannada Development Authority in Kasargod district in Kerala. Books worth Rs. 30,000 were distributed in each of the selected 50 high schools in June.

Encouraged by the response, the KBA decided to launch the project on a regular basis in all border districts in a phased manner with an emphasised message that the State is committed to the cause of Kannada education and the welfare of Kannadigas in border areas.

It is now set to distribute 40,000 books each to the select 50 high schools in Bidar district, where Marathi is said to have been wielding its influence, in December.

It is planning to set up a committee to select and distribute 20,000 books in January to some schools in Pavagada taluk where Telugu is said to be gaining foothold. Over 300 private organisations, including Stree Shakti Kendras and other voluntary agencies in the taluk, have requested the KBA for books.

Prof. Siddaramaiah told The Hindu that “distributing free books to schools with educational and social purposes are not the prime concern of the KBA. Being a representative cultural body, it is attempting to redefine its routine programmes for a social cause.

“In the light of problems being faced by Kannada schools , the KBA has found that free distribution of books will give a healing touch. I am hopeful that its efforts will infuse confidence among the people and do wonders for the cause of Kannada and Kannada-speaking people in border areas.” The future of the scheme hangs in balance as Prof. Siddaramaiah completes his tenure in the office by March 31.

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