MYSORE: SSLC toppers in Kannada medium schools in border districts are in for a bounty. Reason: The state government has decided to offer such students a cash prize of Rs 20,000. This scheme will be implemented as part of a programme that aims to encourage Kannada in border areas from the next academic year.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol announced this after releasing 40 books at Prasararanga, Karnataka State Open University, here on Tuesday.
"Such initiatives will help people living in border areas to develop love and interest for Kannada," he said, while adding that the state government had earmarked `10 crore to border area development board to provide monetary assistance to SSLC toppers in Kannada schools. The Minister also spoke about the need for translating Kannada books into other languages.
He clarified that there was no dearth of funds for Kannada activities as the state government had set aside `158 crore for the Kannada and Culture Department. "A sum of `1 crore has been released to all state universities to carry out Kannada literary works."
He commended KSOU for utilising such grants by bringing out 40 books. Literary personalities and the government must ensure the provision of quality literature to the younger generation," he stated, while adding that promotion of Kannada will be taken up in 52 border taluks.