Javare Gowda takes exception to Suvarna K'taka celebrations

Mysore, Nov 6 (UNI) Noted writer Prof D Javare Gowda today took exception to the Suvarna Karnataka celebrations and termed it a ''farce'', holding that the history of Karnataka was being restricted to the past 50 years Inaugurating the three-day Suvarna Karnataka Writers' Conference here, organised by the Department of Kuvempu Kannada Study Centre of the University of Mysore, he said Karnataka had a history of over 2,000 years which had been forgotten. There was a time when the history of Karnataka was referred to as the history of South India.

The former varsity Vice-Chancellor suggested that the culture, language and land of Karnataka could be safeguarded only if one understood the culture and heritage.

Reputed writer Nadooja Chennaveera Kanavi, speaking on the occasion, expressed grave concern over the status of Kannada and said it looked as though it was losing its existence. It was unfortunate that in Kannada land, a situation had arisen where ''we have to struggle hard to retain our identity and existence.'' Referring to the cry for statehood voiced by people in certain areas within Karnataka, he said such demands were being made following the State Government not undertaking developmental projects in those areas.

University Vice-Chancellor Prof J Shashidhar Prasad presided over the conference, in which 75 writers from across the State were participating.

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