Mangaluru: “Respective state language should be the medium of instruction in that state instead of focussing on English language,” opined poet, folklorist and Jnanapeet awardee Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara on Friday, November 29.
He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the second edition of the two-day ‘Mangaluru Lit Fest – 2019’ organised by Mangaluru Literary Foundation at TMA Pai International Convention Centre.
He said that the ancient Gurukul system of education was strong as it was based on our culture, tradition and spirituality. But, once the English system of education was introduced in our country it ruined the essence of our culture, tradition and spiritualism. “British government enforced English system of education in order to strengthen their administration in India and they falsely interpreted that education being given in the Sanskrit language spreads blind belief among the people,” he informed.
Kambara also pointed out the teaching science subjects in Kannada language is extremely difficult. “ There is a need to adapt our own state language Kannada in our education system. Hence, I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with writer S L Bhyrappa to adapt respective state language as the medium of instruction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lifetime Achievement award was presented to historian and researcher Dr M Chidananda Murty. After receiving the award Chidananda Murthy informed that Hindu religion never promoted violence and it never asked others to quit their religion. “ If any religion compels others to embrace it, it never was and never will be a good religion. Karnataka government has done a good job by banning ‘Tipu Jayanti’ as it is a well-documented fact that Tipu had asked his army chief to kill Hindus,” he said.
Meanwhile, Murthy’s book ‘Sathyam, Shodham, Nirbheetham’ was released on the same occasion.
Nitte (Deemed to be University) Chancellor while delivering the presidential address opined that the intention of the ‘Lit Fest’ is not promoting Kannada language. The views he shared at the programme was quite opposite to the views of inaugurator Kambara. “ Language is the way of communication and one should not oppose English language claiming that it is an obstacle to our culture and tradition. Nowadays, 80 per cent of parents send their children to English medium schools and I don’t think it would damage our essence of religion. We should give focus on what is damaging our culture and tradition and try to prevent it,” he said.
Aarohi Research Foundation director Matighatta Chaitra, Kannada Sahitya Academy president B V Vasanth Kumar among others were present.
