Bijapur, Karnataka:
Discussions on the development of the Kannada language and the need to check attempts to divide Karnataka were highlights of the 79th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which started in Bijapur on Saturday. The three-day conference will host 15 sessions on Kannada language and literature.
Chairman of the Sammelana and well-known writer K Chennabasappa exhorted the government not to support forces which are trying to divide the state.
"There is no need for another Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and the seat of power in Karnataka, and no need for regional parties also," he said.
His remarks came in the backdrop of opinions expressed recently by some favoring separate statehood for North Karnataka districts - an idea that has come in for flak from several leaders and Kannada organisations.
Mr Chennabasappa urged people to send their wards to Kannada-medium schools and to discard the notion that those who get an education in English-medium schools alone would get jobs. He demanded that the government should reserve 50 per cent of jobs to those who studied in Kannada-medium institutions.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, in his inaugural address, promised that the there will be no closure of Kannada-medium schools and that the government was committed to all-round development of the state's official language.
"Development is the main manifesto of the BJP government in the state. In the current budget, Rs. 289 crore has been earmarked for the Kannada and Culture Department, which is a record in the state's history," Mr Shettar, who presented his maiden budget yesterday, said.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, Kannada Sahita Parishat Chief Pundalika Halabi, Minister SK Bellubbbi and Congress leader in the Legislative Council SR Patil were present on the occasion.
Chairman of the Sammelana and well-known writer K Chennabasappa exhorted the government not to support forces which are trying to divide the state.
"There is no need for another Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and the seat of power in Karnataka, and no need for regional parties also," he said.
His remarks came in the backdrop of opinions expressed recently by some favoring separate statehood for North Karnataka districts - an idea that has come in for flak from several leaders and Kannada organisations.
Mr Chennabasappa urged people to send their wards to Kannada-medium schools and to discard the notion that those who get an education in English-medium schools alone would get jobs. He demanded that the government should reserve 50 per cent of jobs to those who studied in Kannada-medium institutions.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, in his inaugural address, promised that the there will be no closure of Kannada-medium schools and that the government was committed to all-round development of the state's official language.
"Development is the main manifesto of the BJP government in the state. In the current budget, Rs. 289 crore has been earmarked for the Kannada and Culture Department, which is a record in the state's history," Mr Shettar, who presented his maiden budget yesterday, said.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, Kannada Sahita Parishat Chief Pundalika Halabi, Minister SK Bellubbbi and Congress leader in the Legislative Council SR Patil were present on the occasion.
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