Veteran poet and former district judge Jinadatt Desai strongly advocated constituting Jain Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KJSP) in the State with the specific objective of promoting Jain literature in Kannada language.
Speaking at the one-day ‘Kannada Jain Sahitya Sammelana’ organised by Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha (DBJS), coinciding with the valedictory of the year-long centenary celebrations of Manikbag Digambar Jain Boarding run by the Sabha in the city on Sunday, he deplored the lack of literary pursuits among the contemporary generation belonging to Jain community and the lack of institutional initiatives and support as available in other States like Maharashtra.
He said KJSP should be formed both at State and district levels through which literary programmes related to Jain literature in Kannada language could be taken up in a more organised way. Also, a Central Library for Jain literature should be established in the State where even the new publications are made available.
Mr .Desai lauded the efforts of Sri Tontadarya Swami of Gadag for publishing 300 biographies on eminent personalities belonging to Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, which could be emulated by Jain institutions as well.
Later, former Registrar of Rani Channamma University urged the university Syndicate members to confer honorary doctorate on Mr. Desai for his notable contributions in various fields, including judiciary and Kannada literature. He also informed that the government had sanctioned Rs. 1 crore to the Pampa Chair at Karnatak University, Dharwad recently.
Sahakar Ratna Raosaheb A. Patil, Chairman of the DBJS inaugurated the sammelana, which was followed by two sessions. Working president of organising committee Ashok G. Kusnale and other prominent members of Jain community were present.
