Mangalore, Jan 5: Inclusion of Tulu in Eight Schedule of the constitution, separate Tulu state, rename of the Mangalore International Airport as Tulu Nadu Airport, rename Matsyaganda express train to “Tulu Nadu Express”, drop of proposed Netravati river diversion project and Niddodi thermal power plant, withdrawal of proposed ban on areca-nut, support to Tulu language and script in schools and university, encouraging the Tulu folk culture, sports, etc. were the demands of the Tulu Nadu Jatre 'Bale Theru Oipuga' organised by the Gurudatta Samsthana of Odiyoor to mark its silver jubilee celebrations at Nehru Maidan, Mangalore on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating the formal programme Visweshatheerta seer of Pejavar mutt said Tulu is like a body and culture is like soul. Without the body soul cannot exist. To save the culture and rich heritage of Tulu Nadu, there is a need to protect Tulu language and its script. Tulu language seeks special respect as it is equivalent to the mother. Kannada is a grandmother and need to nurture Tulu under its protection, he said.
Stressing on the need of preserving Tulu, seer said, “Mangalore International Airport has to be renamed as Tulu Nadu Airport and 'Matsyaganda Express' as 'Tulunadu Express'.
Gurudevananda Swami of the Odiyoor Samsthana said the jatre was organised for the cause of rejuvenation of Tulu language and culture. It also pressurizes the Government for inclusion of Tulu in eight schedule to the Constitution.
Stating that there is a threat to Tulu Nadu from proposed Netravati river diversion project, he said that people of the region must unite to safeguard the interests of the region.
“Tulu is one among the oldest Dravidian languages and even the westerns have mentioned about this in their historical records. Tulu Nadu has more than 2000 years of history, while its script itself is of 500 year old and its literature has 150 years of history,” said Dr K Chinnappa Gowda, former registrar of Mangalore University.
Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadikari of Dharmasthal, who presided over the programme, adding to the demands, said there is a need for the development and preservation of Tulu language and land. Tulu people have been contributing for the economy, society and culture of country, he stressed.
Meanwhile, a memorandum addressed to chief minister Siddaramaiah was handed over to Minister of Forest, Environment and Ecology, B Ramanath Rai. Responding to the memorandum, Mr Rai said that he would raise the issue in assembly.
On the same occasion, 'Singara Ter', a collection of Tulu poems was released by Dr Heggade.
Prior to this a grand chariot processions was held in the main roads of the city. One procession began from Sullia, while another began from Chandragiri near Kasaragod. The third procession was from Barkur near Kundapur. All the three processions were joined near Dr Ambedkar circle in the city. Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhatt of Sri Rama Vidyalaya flagged off for the procession. Later the processions of three chariots along with Dolu, Kombu and Chende culminated at Nehru Maidan.
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