As ‘Guru Dakshina’ HDK’s teacher demands empowerment of Kannada

Team Udayavani, Nov 3, 2018, 3:34 PM IST

•     Wishes by CM’s Kannada teacher KP Madame

Mangaluru: A letter shot by a Kannada teacher to a former student of hers seeking fulfilment of six demands as ‘Guru Dakshina’, has grabbed our attention as the student happens to be none other than the state chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.

The teacher KP Madame, had taught Kumaraswamy when he was studying at Holenarasipura Government Boys Primary School. The letter, written on the occasion of the Kannada Rajyotsava, KP Madame expressed regret that the Kannada language had lost its prominence to other foreign languages and urged the chief minister to work for the promotion of the language.

The letter reads:

My dear Kumar,

I do not know if you remember me or not. But I know you very well. I feel both proud and happy to watch you govern Karnataka state. Do you know why? Because I am your Kannada teacher, ‘K P Madame’!

It was in the 70’s. You used to come to Holenarasipura Government Primary School. Even then you were friendly. You were always surrounded by other students. You used to wear Gandhi Topi always. You had a normal built, round face and were always smiling… Even now, while I look at you, it brings me glimpses of the little Kumar who used to say “Namaste Miss”.

Today it’s Kannada Rajyotsava. For me who is a Kannada teacher, this is just like Dasara or Deepavali. I am 77 years old now and no longer hold the chalk piece or a stick in my hands. My body joints have worn out teaching Kannada for so many years, but the thought that Kannada is losing to the attack of foreing languages keeps me haunting daily. I hope that Kannada language, which I have loved my entire life, will not bow down to the attack of foreign languages. I feel that amidst this, you have come as hope. During this time, I will not ask much from you. Can you fulfill the below-listed six demands immediately for the survival of Kannada? This is the ‘Guru Dakshina’, I am asking of you.

1.            I have witnessed your love for temples. I believe in that. According to me, Kannada schools are also temples. As long as you are in power, why don’t you consider Kannada schools as ‘temples’? At least once in a week, the ministers, MLA’s and officials can visit any Kannada schools along their way of travel. This can  help make Kannada schools attractive and can also aid its development. Can the government initiate a “Shaladegula Yatre” as a preface to an educational revolution?

2.            Now-a-days, students studying in Kannada sit infront of the computers and search for Archimedes or Marconi on Google in Kannada and other than clicking a few links, they do not turn pages of a book. At the same time, this problem is not haunting kids from Japan and China. There, all knowledge is available in their mother tongue itself. Can you strengthen Kannada through technology?

3.            Every year, several software engineers are created in Karnataka. Of them, many techies are in Bengaluru. Isn’t it enough, if only one among a hundred techies works for the development of Kannada language? Can you provide work to any prestigious software company in the format of a five-year-plan, to spread Kannada technologically?

4.            Many Kannadigas do not get justice in Kannada itself. English has become dominant in courts too. Can you take necessary steps to change Court proceedings into Kannada?

5.            I appreciate your decision to sign files only if they are in Kannada. I feel that it is not enough, if only you follow this action. Can you pass a strict law making this applicable to all ministers and officials?

6.            A terrifying environment has been created wherein job opportunities for those who studied in Kannada seems very doubtful. No child in this land should ever end up thinking that by pursuing studies in Kannada, he has landed on the streets. Can you take a strict action by which government and private institutions are compelled to give more appointment opportunity for those who have studied in Kannada language?

Yours Lovingly

K Padmavatamma