A two-day ‘Visioning Workshop and Project Preparation,’ organised by Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK), began at Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) premises in Manasagangothri here this morning. CIIL Director Prof. D.G. Rao inaugurated the workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. H.M. Maheshwaraiah, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, explained the need for careful drafting of a road map for the functioning of the Centre of Excellence.

Regretting that the State is yet to reap the benefits of Classical language status for Kannada, he underlined the need for a perfect co-ordination between all those working to develop Kannada, including the Department of Kannada and Culture, Kannada Development Authority, Universities across the State and Kannada Sahitya Academy, for bringing Central funds and spending appropriately.

Pointing out that the Union Government has to sanction Rs. 50 crore for the Centre, Prof. Maheshwaraiah regretted that we fail in overcoming technical hurdles and to draw up a plan to have a Central Institute of Classical Kannada on the lines of one in Tamil Nadu.

Senior Kannada Scholar Prof. T.V. Venkatachala Sastry, in his keynote address, observed that the workshop should come up with the best road map for the next 10 years.

Noting that ‘Kannada Abhijata Sahitya mattu Adhyayana,’ brought out by Hampi Kannada University in 2009, would be of much help in drafting action plan for utilisation of Central funds, he appealed all stake-holders to make sincere efforts in drafting the most appropriate action plan for the development of Kannada which was accorded the Classical status even before Tamil and Telugu could get it.

Kannada Development Authority Chairman Prof. S.G. Siddaramaiah, CESCK Director Prof. P.K. Khandoba  and others were present. Nearly 100 Kannada scholars, Research students and others involved in promoting Kannada are attending this workshop which concludes tomorrow.