Mysore/Mysuru: Tributes poured in for Sudharma Sanskrit Daily Managing Editor K.V. Sampath Kumar, who passed away recently, at a condolence meeting organised at Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) Office here yesterday.
Sanskrit Scholar H.V. Nagaraja Rao said that though there were many Sanskrit scholars in the country, no one had the courage to publish a Sanskrit daily just as Sampath Kumar did.
Maintaining that Sudharma daily is credited with popularising Sanskrit language, which was hitherto restricted to just temples, weddings and such other functions, he recalled that Varadaraja Iyengar released the copy of the first Sanskrit daily Sudharma at Maharaja Sanskrit Pathashala in Mysuru on July 15,1970. Later after the death of Varadaraja Iyengar, his son Sampath Kumar took over the running of the newspaper and ensured that the newspaper did not stop for any reason.
Observing that Sudharma daily triggered AIR to broadcast Sanskrit news everyday in the morning, Nagaraja Rao said that Sampath Kumar, along with his wife Jayalakshmi were steadfast in running the newspaper despite having less circulation and subscribers, for the promotion and cause of Sanskrit.
Contending that Sampath Kumar and his wife never made any representation to any one seeking awards or prizes, he said that the coveted Padma Shri award announced by the Prime Minister, itself speaks volumes about the couple’s humbleness and simplicity.
MDJA President S.T. Ravikumar, Press Photographers Association President Pragathi Gopalakrishna, senior journalist M.T. Jayaram, K. Deepak and others too spoke.
MDJA office-bearers M.S. Basavanna, M. Subramanya, Rangaswamy, Nagesh Panathale, K.J. Lokesh Babu, Bannur K. Raju and others were present.
Based on many of the researches done Sanskrit is the mother of all languages, both western and eastern. While Indians want to forget their roots and culture, there are many in western societies that have realized its importance and have made all out efforts to learn and retain this language.
Well said Mr. Boregowda. A great loss to sanskrit. Listening to sanskrit news and to read sudharma paper, a feast to the ears and eyes.
Aham aavaam vayam……………………
Don’t know if Sudharma will ever continue its publication. A real loss to the Sanskrit lovers.