Delivering the presidential address at the ‘Alva’s Nudisiri-2007,’ the fourth national-level conference of Kannada literature and culture at Rathnakara Varni Vedike in D Rathnamma Nagara here on Friday, the 94-year-old Kannada scholar emphasised the need to teach Kannada as the first language in all types of (including ICSE and CBSE) schools in the whole of Karnataka.

“If Tamil Nadu can implement Tamil Nadu Learning Act, why not Karnataka?” he questioned and regretted that no political party ever thought of implementing such a decision.

Referring to the over expectations by the parents with regard to their children’s studies, Prof Venkatasubbaiah appealed to the parents not to pressurise them to study beyond a certain limit.

Citing a recent suicide case in IISc, he said that he was shocked to read a PhD scholar’s (Ajay Srichandra) suicide note which read: “I am sorry Dad. The world is not for me and I can not live. It is too much for me. I can’t take it.”
The student had scored 88.83% in SSLC, 94.14% in PUC and 83% in BSc. “The incident should be a warning to the parents,” he noted.

SEZs blamed

Coming down heavily on the special economic zones (SEZs), Prof Venkatasubbaiah opined that the fertile agriculture land is being misused and farmers are becoming poorer.

“People from outside Karnataka are purchasing fertile agriculture land in Karnataka to set up SEZs,” he said and added: “People are amassing huge wealth in the name of SEZs.”

“All these developments are nothing but result of non-implementation of Sarojini Mahishi report,” Prof Venkatasubbaiah said and cautioned that unless the government makes serious efforts to make Kannada as an administrative language, such developments will continue to happen.

Emotional start

Speaking after inaugurating Nudisiri, novelist N Vyasaraya Ballal broke down. “I am extremely happy to inaugurate such a glorious function,” he said with tears rolling down his eyes.

Continuing his brief speech, he regretted that people have become slaves of English language.

“I am not saying that you don’t study English. But at the same time, develop respect towards Kannada,” he appealed.

Severe illness prevented senior novelist from continuing his speech. In fact, he was later taken in a wheelchair.

His speech was later read out by his brother N Srinivas Ballal. Most of his speech stressed on the need to use Kannada in day-to-day activities.

Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, former MLA K Abhayachandra Jain, former minister K Amarnath Shetty and his wife were present on the dais.

Grand arrangement

The arrangement and decoration of stage can not be compared to any other stages. There was a traditional touch in each and everything — be it the dais, backdrop or the traditional dress worn by the guests.

A yakshagana demo by two different troupes (tenku as well as badagu) and bhootharadane prior to the inaugural programme was an added attraction.