Folk heroes in Tulu culture were just ordinary people who often faced many social setbacks, said K. Chinnappa Gowda, Registrar (Administration) of Mangalore University, here on Sunday.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Karavali Association of the Differently Abled.
Mr. Gowda said in Tulu folk culture the heroes faced difficulties like any common people and still managed to overcome them, unlike the puranas in which the heroes were rather privileged and physically well built.
Mr. Gowda said he was happy with the use of the word “vikalachetana” in Kannada which meant “differently-abled” unlike the English word “disabled” which had a negative connotation.
He said the university received circulars from time to time asking whether all the facilities meant for the differently-abled had been implemented.
Karavali Group of Institutions founder-president Ganesh Rao said it was important for the association to develop a database of people in both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts who had disabilities, create awareness of the kinds of facilities, and welfare measures that were meant for them, and keep track of whether or not they were able to avail those benefits.
Association president Manohar Shetty was present.
The programme was held in Ravindra Kalabhavan of the University College. A counter had been set up to enable differently-abled persons to apply for government schemes.
