Mysore/Mysuru: Pro-Kannada activist Bherya Ramkumar (B.S. Ramkumar) from Mysuru and Litterateur Dr. Vijayamala Ranganath of Bengaluru have been selected for the Endowment Award of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, instituted by Smt. Satyavati Vijaya Raghava Trust, according to Parishat President Dr. Mahesh Joshi.

Bherya Ramkumar has been chosen for the award considering his contributions as a pro-Kannada activist and Vijayamala for her contributions to the field of literature. The awards include a purse of Rs. 10,000 each.

A native of Bherya, K.R. Nagar taluk in Mysuru district, Ramkumar was studying degree in Maharaja’s College in Mysuru, when he actively took part in Gokak Movement for the cause of Kannada. Later he actively participated in the movements of Kannada Kranti Dala led by late N. Nagalinga Swamy.

In 1985, Ramkumar founded Gramanthara Buddhijieevigala Balaga and held various programmes related to Kannada literature, culture and folklore. Till date, he has the pride of organising 343 State-level literary events.  Over 7,000 people have pledged their eyes in the awareness camp  on eye donation organised along with literary events, besides distributing about 10,000 saplings for free.

Ramkumar has been organising State-level poetry contest and also honouring achievers who have been working for the cause of Kannada, the land and language even outside the district. Also specially-abled poets are honoured by Ramkumar, who has the credit of publishing over 200 literary works of upcoming writers under his own ‘Pragathipara Prakashana’.

 As a Member of Kannada Jagruti Samiti, Ramkumar has been ensuring the implementation of Kannada language in administration, by complaining to Kannada Development Authority against banks and Central Government offices not using Kannada in official matters.