Mysore/Mysuru: Expressing concern over decreasing representation of Kannada at the national level, former JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi) faculty Dr. Purushotham Bilimale attributed globalisation, commercialisation and other factors for the decline.

He was delivering a lecture on the topic ‘Kannada and Karnataka in the National Capital,’ organised by Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA), Kannada Chaluvali Kendra Samiti and Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota at MDJA premises on Thyagaraja Road in K.R. Mohalla here recently.

Arguing that Kannada should have seen growth at the National level in these times of Globalisation and Nationalism, Prof. Bilimale regretted that instead of establishing a new Kannada Peetha (Chair), the existing ones too are getting closed which has resulted in further deterioration in recognition of Kannada.

Noting that while there are 1,35,000 Malayalis in Delhi, he said that there are only 10,800 Kannadigas in Delhi, while the Tamil speaking population  stands at 90,000 and Telugu speaking population  is 1,20,000. Pointing out that this statistics point to the sorry state of Kannada and Karnataka in Delhi, he shared  experiences on his 25 years of stay in Delhi.

“While Kannadigas are hesitant to go elsewhere in the country, they show largesse in accepting outsiders who come and stay in Karnataka. While Tamil and Malayali IAS officers, bureaucrats and MPs get the works in respect of their States  done by the Union Government, this is not the case in respect of Kannadigas. While there are many Kannadiga leaders who work for their party, there are hardly a few who work for the cause of Kannadigas and Karnataka,” he regretted.

Attributing the hesitance of Kannadigas to go outside to such a sorry state of affairs, Prof.Bilimale said barring those from Mangaluru and Vijayapura, there are hardly a few Kannadigas from other districts of the State in Delhi. It seems the people of Mysuru region do not make up their mind for establishing themselves outside the State other than Bengaluru and Mysuru,  he  added.

Earlier, former Rangayana Director Janardhan (Janni), who inaugurated the programme by reciting a song ‘Bidiru Naanyaarigilladavalu,’ said that Kannada is the language of our heart. Everyone should strive for the cause of Kannada, Karnataka and Kannadigas, he added.

MDJA President S.T. Ravikumar presided.

Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota President M. Chandrashekar, Kannada Chaluvali Kendra Samiti President Mugur Nanjundaswamy  and others were present.