Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that the Government will make a decision shortly on establishing an international-standard folk university, as suggested by folk scholars.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day celebrations of the Karnataka Janapada Parishat here on Monday. The parishat was established by the folk expert and retired bureaucrat, the late H.L. Nage Gowda.
Mr. Yeddyurappa appreciated the efforts of the parishat, including the Janadpada Loka museum it has established near Ramanagaram on Bangalore–Mysore Highway, for protecting and nurturing folk art forms and lifestyle. He promised the Government's continued support for the cause. The former Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University D. Javare Gowda and the noted Gandhian and chairman of the parishat G. Narayana spoke.
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Appreciation
Applauding the Government's generosity in extending funds for the development of language and culture, Prof. Gowda observed that Mr. Yeddyurappa could be addressed “Janaka Maharaja of universities” as various universities had been established and were being established during his tenure. He suggested to the Government that it should establish a comprehensive folk university as folk art and lifestyle were considered the root of various systems of knowledge.
Mr. Narayana said that he would welcome the establishment of a folk university, but introducing folk as a subject in primary and secondary classes would help the purpose besides strengthening the cause of literacy.
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While leaving the venue, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that he would place the suggestion on establishing the folk university before the Cabinet. The parishat's working president and retired bureaucrat T. Thimme Gowda welcomed the gathering. Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda; Bangalore city Mayor S.K. Nataraj; chairman of the Kannada Development Authority Mukhyamantri Chandru; chairman of the Bhasha Bharati Authority Pradhan Gurudutt; chairman of the Karnataka Janapada Academy Go.Ru. Chennabasappa; president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat R.K. Nallur Prasad, and others were present.
A souvenir, a documentary film and a book were released on the occasion.