Kannada must get top priority in state governance: Lit meet president

Dharwad: Kannada should be accorded the highest priority in the administration of Karnataka, said Chandrashekhar Rottigawad, president of the Dharwad taluk 12th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.He was speaking at the 12th Dharwad taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan in Dharwad on Thursday.Rottigawad asserted that everyone residing in Karnataka must learn to read, write and speak Kannada. Emphasising Dharwad's rich literary heritage, he said the city has been home to numerous stalwarts who worked tirelessly to nurture and promote Kannada language and culture, thereby enriching its literary tradition. Referring to the historic Karnataka unification movement, he noted that the dream of a united Karnataka was realised through the collective resolve of Kannadigas. Poets from Dharwad district stirred public consciousness with inspiring songs such as "Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu" and "Hacchevu Kannadada Deepa," instilling pride and identity among the people, he said. The development of Kannada, he added, is inseparable from the empowerment of the land and its people. He urged the government to strengthen the language further by promoting Kannada-medium schools.In his inaugural address, senior writer Prof Shantinath Dibbad said literature must serve as a unifying force rather than a divisive one. While all languages deserve respect, he stressed that one must never neglect one's mother tongue. Police commissioner N Shashi Kumar and Karnataka Sahitya Parishat district president Lingaraj Angadi spoke. Mayor Jyothi Patil released Ramachandra Kulkarni's book ‘Anubhuta Anavarata' on the occasion and called for greater appreciation and awareness of Kannada literature. Murugha Mutt seer Mallikarjun Swamiji graced the event.