Mangaluru, Nov 29, 2019: The Two Day Mangaluru Lit Fest organised by Mangaluru Literary Foundation was inaugurated at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre here on November 29, Friday by Jnanpeeth Award winning writer Dr Chandrashekhar Kambar.
Speaking on the occasion, Kambar said the nation is still enslaved by English even years after British left India. Writers should come up with works that help us identify our own uniqueness, he added.
Pointing out that the English system of education was enforced by the British with the objective of strengthening their administration, he said he had even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi once along with S L Bhyrappa to urge him to take steps to impart education in the respective state language.
Presiding over the function, eminent research scholar and historian M Chidananda Murthi said terming our nation as India instead of Bharath in the constitution was a mistake. Bharath reminds us of our culture, but not India, he said. Appreciating the state government decision to stop Tipu Jayanthi celebrations, he said those glorifying Tipu did not want to know the truth.
N Vinay Hegde, Chancellor of Nitte Deemed-to-be University was present as a chief guest. In his address he stressed the need for harmony in the society.
Kannada Sahitya Academy President B V Vasanth Kumar, Aarohi Research Foundation Director M S Chaitra and others were present.