On Sunday, Dr. M. Mohan Alva, president of Alva's Education Foundation, accepted a felicitation at the Tulu Maanadigeda Minadana ceremony organised by Tulukoota Bedra in Moodabidri's Kalpavruksha Auditorium. The event followed the recent declaration of Tulu as an official language of Karnataka and highlighted the community's push for further recognition.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Alva emphasised that the Tulu language can nurture love, harmony and inter‑community ties. He recalled that former chief minister Veerappa Moily founded the Tulu Academy during his tenure, a body that has seen sixteen presidents work toward the language's growth. Alva also pointed out that Tulu now enjoys academic status at Mangalore University, a milestone that has delighted not only Tuluvas but also members of the Beary and Vokkaliga communities.
Calling for collective effort, the speaker urged participants to unite for Tulu to become Karnataka's second official language and to secure a place in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He warned that such progress requires the central government's attention and announced plans to form a committee that will draft a detailed report.
The ceremony was presided over by Jayanthi S. Bangera, president of Tulukoota Bedra, while A.C. Bhandari, president of Akhila Bharatha Tulu Okkoota Kudla, inaugurated the programme. Among the honoured were former minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, community leader Sampath Samrajya and Tulukoota founding president Chandrahasa Devadiga. Sumana Chandrahasa Devadiga received recognition for donating a loudspeaker to the organisation. Bahubali Prasad, honorary president of Tulukoota, welcomed the audience, and secretary Chetana Rajendra Hegde acted as compere. Vice‑president Shwetha Jain read the felicitation letter, and the event opened with cultural performances by the Voice of Aradhana team.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK