BANGALORE: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented awards to several musicians, writers and artists for their contribution to Kannada and culture at a ceremony organised by the Kannada and Culture department organised here on Friday.
Jnanpith awardee Dr U R Ananthamurthy said Kannada language is not being allowed to grow due to external pressure. “Even the Supreme Court is against making Kannada the medium of instruction. If we learn different subjects in Kannada, the approach to the subject will be independent,” he said.
He suggested the state government should come up with a model school in each district where the medium of instruction is Kannada. “These schools can also have English as a subject.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government is striving for the development of Kannada. Expressing his opinion about choosing award winners for various awards, he said: “Politicians should stay out of this and allow various committees to choose the right persons for the awards.”
Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree mooted the idea of having a ‘Culture Policy’ in the state.
A total of 12 awards were given out at the function in which 11 were for the year 2012 and one for the year 2013.
The Basava award was given to Dr U R Ananthamurthy, T Chowdaiah National award to Prof R Vishveshwaran, Dana Chintamani Athimabbe award to Dr B N Sumitrabai, Prof K G Kundanagara Gadinada Sahitya award to Dr Kum Veerabhadrappa, Kumaravyasa award to Markandeya Avadhani, Nijaguna Purandara award to Pam Sangameshwara Gurava, Santha Shishunala Sharif award to S Somasundaram, Shanthala Natya award to Dr Vasundara Doreswamy, Dr Gubbi Veeranna award to Lakshmibai Anagi, Varashilpi Venkatappa award to U Bhaskar Rao, Jakanachari award to G B Hamsanadacharya and Pampa award was given to Nadoja Kayyar Kinhanna Rai.
‘Will Consult CMs Over Medium Verdict’
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he will soon be writing to his counterparts in other states to discuss the issue of implementing the state’s language as the medium of instruction in schools. “This issue is not limited only to Karnataka, but the problem is faced by all states in the country. I am going to request all chief ministers to discuss this issue,” he said. He said he would present the issue to the Prime Minister too.