Intolerant towards language, religion escalated: poet

Intolerant towards language, religion escalated: poet

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Dec 06, 2017: Poet and writer Nissar Ahmed lamented that human beings are becoming more and more sensitive  and intolerant towards languages, caste and religion.

 

After being felicitated at M G M College by Rangasthala and Amogha Udupi, the renowned littérateur said that, "We are born as humans and in fact are greater than all living beings but sadly after birth, man entertains vicious thoughts of differentiating between each other in the name of language, religion and caste."

In the backdrop of all unfortunate happenings, it is indeed essential to enlighten the human world with education, culture and civilisation. Only then can individuals be real human beings, he said.

Reiterating that literature enhances the quality of life and spreads happiness, the poet said that earnings should not be the sole purpose of life. In turn, human beings should hunt happiness through literature, he said.

’Discard western culture’

Asserting that English language should exist to empower the human mind, the poet said that western culture should nonetheless, be discarded. He added that without the knowledge of English, it is tough to compete in the world. "English can be a friendly language but not the language of culture and birth. It cannot be infused into blood relations, but can be categorised as a ’friend’ language. Kannada and other South Indian languages bond deeply and are connected genetically," he maintained.

He said that Kannada language is being promoted extensively by the people of coastal Karnataka and not by the people of old Mysuru. Although Tulu is the spoken language here, it is Kannada which dominates the soil. He added that coastal Karnataka is also rich in cultural assets, which has introduced unique folk dance forms like Yakshagana, Bhootharadhane and Nagaradhane. He expressed happiness for the recital of his poems in Yakshagana format.

’Symbol of unity’

Speaking on the occasion, Alva’s Education Trust chairman Dr Mohan Alva said that Nissar Ahmed is the symbol of unity. "When most litterateurs are trying to divide the society, Ahmed stands as the bridge to fill the gap in the huge valley. The veteran poet is building the society through humanity. The society is scattered and all are indulging in the fight to establish themselves through caste and religion," Alva said.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal said that Nissar Ahmed is an outstanding creative poet who has carved a niche of his own in the of world literary arena while bringing acclaim to Kannada language and its soil.