Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysore Grahakara  Parishat (MGP) had invited Hanur Chennappa, Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture Department, recently for an awareness-cum-interaction programme with MGP members and public on a virtual platform to discuss ‘Kannada Kayaka Varsha’ which is being observed from  Nov. 1, 2020 to Oct.31, 2021.    

The speaker referred to the Government of Karnataka circular dated 21.11.2020 issuing several guidelines to adopt Kannada language in administrative set up in State Government Offices in different modes, to spread the language for communication and to have a clear understanding with the public. 

The guidelines included  i) All orders and circulars from Government to be in Kannada, any important decisions of Government to be communicated in Kannada including  SMS, acknowledgements, ii)  Administrative books for Government exams in Kannada,  putting up of Kannada hoardings in processions during festivals observed by the Government like Dasara, Rajyotsava, Jayanthis,  iii) Give prominence to Kannada artistes in cultural programmes, changing of names of cities, prominent roads after the names of  prominent leaders, Vidwans, litterateurs, technologists, sportsmen, etc.,  iv) Adopting Kannada advertisements etc. 

The awareness included introduction of digital Kannada dictionaries, giving prominence in job selection to students who studied in Kannada medium. 

The Kannada and Culture Department Office in Kalamandira premises, in coordination with Kannada Development Authority, has been trying to train up non-Kannadigas in various Central Government Offices to make their local administrative communications easier, he said adding that CFTRI  non-Kannadiga employees have already been trained by them on request.

To a point raised by Arunkumar Shettar about training in Kannada to non-Kannadigas posted in various banks, particularly in rural areas for easy communication with customers, Chennappa clarified that action is being taken to open Kannada training centres undertaking 15 days training for these employees and issue necessary certificates. This is being done in coordination with Kannada Kriya Samithi of the Government. 

Similar trainings are imparted for non-Kannadigas of Central Government Departments and Undertakings also if such requests are received, he said.

Another participant Aswathnarayana sought to know if any translation facility is being undertaken by them for letters received in English from Central Government to be translated into Kannada. To this,  the Assistant Director replied saying that so far no such arrangement has been  made by the Government but, however, his Office could oblige  them if approached. 

Prof. B.S. Shankara, one of the participants, wanted Kannada signboards to be clearly written with no grammar mistakes and cited the example of the board in Lingambudhi Park. To this Chennappa replied that he would look into the mistake and get it rectified. 

Concluding the interaction, Chennappa requested the public to understand the spirit behind the above Government guidelines and cooperate with the Government in observing Kannada Kayaka Varsha throughout this year, seriously and in right earnest, by adopting Kannada as their lifestyle, language for communication and better learning and better understanding by others also so that the language flourishes in all walks of life.   

Dr. B.V. Shivamurthy lamented that although many members desired holding of physical monthly interaction programme as earlier, as President of MGP, he expressed his inability to comply with the request for the time being as Corona restrictions continue to exist, and welcomed better participation at least in the next meeting. 

S.V. Raghavendra, Executive Committee Member of MGP, welcomed. Other participants included K.V. Ramanath, Treasurer, MGP, Pradeep, Secretary and Prof. Jagannath, Member.

MGP President can be reached on Mob:94489-79349.