Mysuru:  Regretting the closure of over 2,000 Kannada Medium Schools in the State, noted poetess Dr. Latha Rajashekar said that it was matter of concern for crores of Kannadigas.

She was speaking after inaugurating the one-day Dasara and Rajyotsava State-level Literary Fest organised by K.R.Nagar- based Gramantara Buddhijeevigala Balaga, in association with Akhila Bharatiya Kannada Literary and Cultural Parishat, at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road here on Sunday.

Maintaining that the decision to close down Kannada Schools was a wrong one, Dr. Latha wondered if Kannada schools can be set up elsewhere, if not here.

Pointing out that Kannada has the distinction of having the most ‘Mahakavyas’ among Indian languages, she said this distinction is enough to prove that Kannada has a long tradition and history.

Bemoaning the attempts to divide Karnataka, she argued that no one should support the forces demanding bifurcation of State.

Veteran litterateur Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar and Dr. Latha Rajashekar were conferred ‘Sahitya Bhushana’ award, while several other achievers from different fields were conferred ‘Vishwamanya Kannadiga’ award  on the occasion. 

Also, Dr. Bherya Ramkumar’s (edited) work ‘Kavya Dasara’, writer Dr. J. Lohit’s work ‘Vyaktitva Vikasa Darshana’ and writer B.B. Lakshmegowda’s work ‘Sutta-Muta-2’ were released.

Writers Prof. K. Bhyravamurthy, Dr. A. Pushpa Iyengar, Prof.Basavaraj Belagatti, Dr. Bherya Ramkumar and Dr. H.B. Rajashekar, Social worker K. Raghuram, farmer leader Garudagambha Swami and others were present at the programme.