Use modern technology to promote Kannada: Chandrashekhara Kambar

Jnanapeeth awardee Chandrashekhara Kambar Monday urged the Karnataka Government to make use of modern technology for the promotion of Kannada in a big way.

Replying to felicitation by Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, Kambar, the eighth recepient of the coveted award for Kannada, said the state government should start encouraging the usage of Kannada in computer and mobiles and other futuristic devices.

Kannada would survive only if the government acted on its toes by implementing a report given by the experts on the development of software exclusively for its popularisation among the people, he said.

"This alone will help in presevring the language for the next generation", Kambar said.

He also urged the Government to start a Kannada University for exclusively taking up teaching of Kannada language from LKG to Masters degrees.

The Chief Minister said he would soon look into Kambar's suggestion favouring making Kannada medium of instruction from LKG to tenth standard in schools.

Gowda expressed hope that the central government would extend all benefits to classical Kannada language at least now after Kambar got the Jnanpeeth for Kannada.

Kannada and Culture Minister Govind M Karjol praised Kambar for his valuable contribution to Kannada literature at the function, presided over by renowned Kannada literary figure Prof UR Ananthmurthy.