Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said it was a challenging task to safeguard Kannada language amidst the ongoing development and urbanisation and added that people were concerned over the impact of other languages on Kannada following an increase in the use of non-Kannada languages in the State.
Speaking at the valedictory function of the 87th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana here, he underscored the need for protecting Kannada language while keeping the identity of the people intact.
Elaborating on the observations made by sammelana president Go. Ru. Channabasappa, he stressed the need for promoting Kannada schools, and stated that Kannada had to get its importance.
Echoing the views expressed by Dr. Channabasappa on schools, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the sammelana had discussed the importance of saving Kannada schools and added that the State government had to support and ensure Kannada schools were not shut down.
He recalled his first term as Chief Minister in 2006 when the number of schools, PU colleges, and degree colleges went up, to strengthen the education system. At that time, the State had 169 degree colleges and the number was increased by 179, with colleges being opened even in taluk centres.
He said 500 PU colleges were opened and 1,400 high schools were opened, recruiting 56,000 teachers and lecturers.
Expressing concern over the stories in today’s films, Mr. Kumaraswamy, who recalled his association with the film industry, before joining politics, said there had been a lot of difference between the films of yesteryear and those being released now and expressed displeasure over the kind of stories in today’s Kannada films.
Recalling the films and songs of Dr. Rajkumar, he said the Kannada film industry needed films with a difference and that could do good to society. Films could play a role for the good of society, with stories that were impactful and made with a vision.
Published – December 22, 2024 09:06 pm IST