'IT, BT Sectors Anti-Kannada'

Dr Na D’Souza, president of the 80th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, slammed the software and biotech sectors for not contributing to Kannada language and culture.

“The growth of the IT and BT industries here looks like a threat to Kannada,” told Express on the eve of the grand three-day literary festival here.

 D’Souza said the State government should insist these industries contribute to Kannada, and called for job reservations for Kannadigas.

Pundalika Halambi, president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, endorsed D’Souza.

“They use our land, water and resources, but do not want to contribute to Kannada,” he said.

He said the government was pampering the two sectors. “The government must ask them to contribute 5 per cent of their income for Kannada,” said Halambi.

The next all-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan is likely to be held in Haveri district.

The executive committee of the Parishat, which organises the annual mela, is looking at four options for the 81st conference, and Haveri is the first priority.

Halambi told Express, “We have four options: Haveri, Mandya, Gulbarga and Bellary. But we would like to concentrate on Haveri as it will be first time such a conference will take place there.”

The district committee must come forward and submit a request. The state committee will take a decision after considering the venue and delegate accommodation, he explained.

D’Souza’s focus

Na D’Souza, president of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, is slated to deliver his presidential address on Tuesday that is likely to touch on political ups and downs, assault against women, naxalism and social inequality, etc.