Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Sunday that the Government was committed to promoting Tulu language.
He was speaking after presenting the “Bannanje Babu Amin Janapada Prashasti” to folk scholar Amrut Someshwar and “Padadana” singer Kargi Nalike here. The awards have been instituted by Kemmalaje Janapada Prakashana. Dr. Acharya also released “Tulunadu Daivagalu – Samskritika Vishleshane”, a book written by Mr. Bannanje Babu Amin on the occasion.
Dr. Acharya said that the Government had issued orders for introduction of Tulu as an optional third language from sixth standard in schools in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts from 2010-11. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had written to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Tulu was an independent language by itself. Contrary to the popular belief, Tulu had a script of its own. Experts at the Dravidian University at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh had testified to the importance and richness of Tulu language.
Mere materialistic progress in terms of infrastructure was not enough for the people to be happy.
Realising the importance of culture, the State Government had allocated Rs. 180 crore to the Department of Kannada and Culture. The Government Kannada in the regions bordering Maharashtra and Kerala and some foreign countries, Dr. Acharya said. MLA Raghupati Bhat and folk expert Kudi Vasanth Shettywere among those present.
