"There is an urgent need to bring in a formulate and implement a national education policy in order to preserve and develop Indian languages," 'Mukhyamantri’ Chandru, former chairman of the Kannada development authority said in Bidar on Saturday.
He was responding to the national Go. Ru Channabasappa award given by Karnataka Barahagarara Mattu Kalavidara Sangha in the Zilla Rang Mandir. That, he reasoned, would not only help Indian languages, but also help the poorest of the poor get access to education.
"Pro-Kannada activists like us have been demanding that all schools should teach children in their mother tongue till fifth standard. However, we have never opposed English teaching. We have only been asking that proper grammar should be taught by trained teachers," he said.
He took objection to the fact that successive governments had failed to properly implement the three language policy in the state. We have also failed to utilize the opportunity of Kannada being classified as a classical language, he said.
He urged the government to strive to get its share of waters of the rivers Krishna, Cauvery, and Mahadayi. The union government should formulate a national water policy to ensure this, he said. He said that youngsters from all state should get equal representation in public employment.
K. Chinnappa Gowda, vice chancellor, Karnataka Folklore university, spoke of the need to create awareness among youth about native culture and traditions. Dr Channabasappa, inaugurated a district level Bhajana competition.
Bhagwant Khuba, MP, Sri Basavalinga Pattaddevaru, Seer of the Bhalki Hire Math, Jagannath Hebbale, president of the Sangha, B. V Rajaram, theatre personality and others were present.