Mysuru: At only seven years old this boy has seen the second Akhila Kannada Sahithya Sammelana. Nikhil Gowda, a class two student, is well versed in Karnataka’s history. He can easily brief you about how Karnataka came into existence and in no time, can list out the names of all the taluks, districts and the names of various prominent leaders.
Nikhil, son of Vishwanath Talamari from Rodalbanda Camp, Lingasagur Taluk of Raichur district, was impressed after seeing the Kannada Sahithya Sammela held last year in Raichur. After witnessing the event, Nikhil begged his father to take him to Mysuru to see the Kananda Sahithya Sammelana again. Vishwanath, who runs a small business, didn’t want to disappoint his son. He borrowed Rs 5,000 from a private money lender and brought his son to Mysuru to witness the three day Akhila Kannada Sahithya Sammelana, which began on Friday.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka, 36-year-old Vishwanath Talamari said, “I am a staunch follower of Kannada and it is everything to me. For the last ten years I have made it a point to participate in the Akhila Kannada Sahithya Sammelana. I even plan my schedules so that I never miss an opportunity to be at the event,” and added that he waits for the event eagerly every year.
“Last year I had taken my son to the Akhila Kannada Sahithya Sammelana which was held in Raichur. He was so impressed with the various activities and programs and requested me to take him to Mysuru so he could participate in the event again. I run a small business where I earn a megre Rs100 to Rs 200 daily. I want to encourage my son’s ever growing interest in Kannada, so I borrowed Rs 5,000 from a private money lender jsut so I could bring my son here,” he said.
Elaborating on his son’s knowledge of the history of Karnataka, he said that though Nikhil, a student of Oxford School, is only seven-years-old, he can recite the history of Karnataka, various leaders’ names, name all the taluks, and districts. He can also name all the states’ chief minister names and names of important foreign countries’ leaders including the American President Donald Trump.
Nikhil wants to join the army when he grows up, and wants to protect his motherland from her enemies. “I like Kannada and want to know more about our language and state. Hence, I am very eager to take part in the sammelana which helps me enrich my knowledge,” he said.
