Tulu, Konkani and Beary Academies Felicitate Minister Jayamala
Mangaluru: The Tulu, Konkani and Beary Sahitya Academies organized a felicitation ceremony for Minister for Women and Child Development Dr Jayamala at the Siri Chawadi Tulu Bhavana Urwa Stores here on July 25.
The programme began with an invocation. Member of the Konkani Sahitya Academy Laxman Prabhu welcomed the gathering
The president of Konkani Sahitya Academy R P Naika briefed on the activities of the academy and said, “We have 41 communities, Hindus, Catholics and Muslims who speak Konkani. To create awareness and encourage students to take up Konkani as the third language we had launched Konkani Jagrati Abhiyan. The government has added Konkani as the third language in Schools since 2007 and many students have excelled in Konkani. We request the minister to construct a Konkani Bhavan for the Academy as the present academy is very congested.”
The president of Beary Sahitya Academy Karambar Mohammed briefing on the activities of the Academy said, “We have organized various programmes through the academy. Even the world women’s day was celebrated and women achievers were felicitated on the occasion. The government is paying us the remuneration but the members get very less which is not sufficient. I urge the minister to increase the remuneration of the academy members, only if the members attend the meeting we can run the academy. At present, the government is giving us Rs 60 lakhs plus salary which is very less for the development of the academy. Konkani Sahitya Academy President has asked Rs 1 crore but I request the minister to increase it to Rs 2 crores.”
Speaking on the occasion Tulu Sahitya Academy President A C Bhandary said, “This year we are celebrating the silver jubilee of the Academy and it is our honour that the Minister for Women and Child development Dr Jayamala is with us. The Tulu Bhavan was constructed in 51 cents of land and we have spacious halls in this building. I am the 9th president of this academy and all the 8 presidents have worked hard for the growth of the Academy. At present 2000 students are studying the Tulu subject in 40 schools. Recently 417 students answered the Tule examinations in the 10th standard exams and all of them have passed. We have felicitated the teachers who taught Tulu to the 10th standard students. Now our students are pursuing MA in Tulu but there is no Tulu in PUC. The minister should take the initiative to start Tulu in PUC. If our language develops, our culture will also continue. To retain our Tulu culture we need to strive hard and encourage our children to take up the Tulu subject in school.”
Minister for Women and Child Development Dr Jayamala was felicitated with a Mysuru Peta, shawl, floral bouquet, Citation and a memento.
Addressing the gathering Dr Jayamala said, “If you want to measure any country you need to see the culture and tradition of that country. The country that is giving importance to culture and tradition will prosper. I have travelled to 48 countries but have never seen the culture and tradition we are seeing in Dakshina Kannada. Our country has unity in diversity. In our DK District, we worship Naga, Bhoota and a number of deities which is not seen anywhere in the world. A number of Churches, Mosques and Temples and the peoples belief God and Goddesses is very strong. The language we speak is unique. Our Tulu language is sweeter than Jaggary. Tulu language brings us together. We need to ask for the Tulu Lipi in schools.”
Dr Jayamala further said, “Dr Rajkumar has contributed a lot for the Kannada language and he worked hard to retain it. Konkani Sahitya Academy has done a wonderful job by introducing Konkani as the third language in schools. But I am not happy with the academy for giving the least preference for women. We need to increase the numbers of women in the academy. In the Tulu Academy, there are four women and Beary academy has appointed 2 women as members. We need to encourage women in the government field. In the coming days, we will appoint more women in all the academies.”
Dr Jayamala also said, “The president of Beary Sahitya Academy has asked Rs 2 crore funds for the academy. If the government provides the funds I am not against it,.if the government has enough funds to allocate to the academies I will surely look into it. At the same time, the Academy heads should properly document every programme through video visuals so that we can preserve it for our next generation. My support is always there for the academies, let us all join hands to strengthen the academies to retain our culture and tradition.”
Basheer Baikampady delivered the vote of thanks. Journalist Taranath Kapikad compered the programme.