Mangaluru: Assembly speaker UT Khader said on Friday that, for thousands of years, deities have preserved the Tulu language in the absence of script and letters.He was speaking at the third Vidyarthi Tulu Sammelana organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Tulu Parishat at Tulu Bhavana on Friday.“The Tulu language is a reflection of the culture and traditions of the coastal region. If we forget the language, our culture will reach the brink of destruction. Efforts should be made to preserve the Tulu language and introduce it to more people,” he said.Criticism is natural in life, and students should not be discouraged by it, and should strive to achieve success and reach great heights. They should live a harmonious life in society, he added.The event was inaugurated by Preetham Nayak, a student of Nitte education institution, who emphasised the importance of loving our Tulu language and culture while respecting other languages. “Students have the responsibility to preserve the language and maintain peace and harmony. They should take the initiative in this regard,” he said.Abhijna Hegde, a student of SMS College, Brahmavar, presided over the conference and expressed concerns about the Tulu language being overshadowed by modernity. “The academy and parishat are working to promote the Tulu language through students. In today’s world, where children are engrossed in TV and mobile phones, efforts should be made to raise awareness about the Tulu language and culture,” she said.Rani Abbakka Tulu Adhyayana Kendra founder Thukaram Poojary said students should sincerely work to preserve Tulu by acquiring and maintaining knowledge from elders.Sri Nijalingeshwara Swamiji of Sri Jagadguru Durudundeshwara Siddha Sansthan Mutt, Nidasoshi, blessed the event. Academy chairman Tharanath Gatti Kapikad and Tulu Parishat president Shubhodaya Alva were present.Tulu deserves constitutional status: BilimaleSpeaking at the closing ceremony, Prof Purushothama Bilimale, chairperson, Kannada Development Authority (KDA), expressed concern over many languages disappearing. “We are 10 years behind in terms of language. Tulu is a rich language and deserves to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. In 2011, there were 92 languages in line for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, and by 2026, this number has increased to 145. Many states have more than one state language, but we have not been able to grant constitutional status to Tulu. However, the Karnataka govt is preparing to declare Tulu as the second official language in the coming days,” he said.
