Kadaba: ‘Notion that only English-medium education leads to success is misleading’

Team Udayavani, Nov 3, 2024, 10:54 AM IST

Kadaba: The fourth Kannada literary conference of Kadaba Taluk is scheduled to be held on November 30 at St. George Aided Kannada Medium High School in Kunthuru Padavu. Writer and environmental activist N. Karunakar Gogate has been appointed as the president of the conference.

Author of books like Ondu Setuveya Kathe and Urumbi Samrakshaneya Yashassinali —works that depict rural life and recall the struggle against the Urumbi Hydropower Project—Gogate is also a recipient of the Sahakara Ratna Award.

Gogate holds several positions, including President of the Kumaradhara Parisara Samrakshana Samiti, Director of Kadaba Taluk Janapada Parishat, and Zone President of the Janajagruti Vedike in Kadaba. He also serves as the President of Hosamatha Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society and is well-known as a devotional singer and environmentalist.

Interview Excerpts  

Q: Your life intertwines social activism, agricultural insights, and writing. How did this journey unfold?

From a young age, observing the simplicity of village life, the coexistence with nature, and the resilience of our people in addressing challenges together shaped my belief that one can face anything in a rural agricultural life and build a meaningful existence. I hold that solutions lie within us, and instead of blaming others or expecting everything from the government, efforts must come from within.

Q: What do you hope to achieve through these Kannada literary meets, which involve substantial expenses?

Today, when all programs are conducted with grandeur, it’s essential to focus not just on expenses but on fulfilling the core objectives of such events. Structuring programs in this spirit is necessary.

Q: At this juncture, where there’s a dilemma between Kannada and English as mediums of instruction, what is your stance?

We are under a misconception that only those educated in English medium can succeed. This is untrue. We can pursue education in Kannada medium while learning other languages. Language should be a bridge for communication, not a barrier. Arguments that learning in Kannada will ruin children’s futures are baseless. By making such claims, aren’t we disrespecting numerous achievers who studied in Kannada over the past century?

Q: Government schools, despite having facilities, seem to have lost their appeal. Why do you think that is?

Although facilities exist, challenges persist due to either delay in appointing teachers due to student shortages, lack of sufficient teachers, or parental indifference towards sending children to Kannada schools, perhaps due to perceived inferiority. Strengthening Kannada schools is crucial, and I hope the government will provide all the necessary resources for this.

Q: Reading habits are declining. How can we revive this trend?

As Shivaram Karanth suggested, children should spend time with their mothers until age 8. Stories narrated by mothers and grandmothers spark awareness in children about our culture, heritage, and history, nurturing a reading habit. This requires the cooperation of parents and teachers. However, excessive mobile usage among all age groups has diminished reading habits, negatively impacting the literary field’s growth.

Q: How does literature complement life?

Human pursuits—whether work, study, teaching, interests, professions, agriculture, customs, or festivals—are woven with literature, making human life inherently literary. Indian culture, customs, and beliefs are interlaced with literature.

Translated version of Kannada interview bu Nagaraj N K