Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 23: “Diverting River Netravati and setting up of special economic zones without taking into account the basic nature of the land, culture and aspirations of the local people, will deliver blows to our land, water and culture, in the name of development. We have to strive to save our culture, water and land,” stressed Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt here.

He was speaking after presiding over the valedictory ceremony of two-day ‘Tuluverena Tuttaita, Paddeyi Bangar, Oora Mard’ programme held at M G M College here as part of the World Tulu Sammelan to be held in Ujire later, on Sunday November 22. “Diversion of Netravati will have catastrophic affects. If 20,000 acres of land is acquired for special economic zones, it will deliver a terrible blow to the Tuluva culture,” he lamented.

“We have learnt that in spite of the repeated assurances of the peoples’ representatives to the contrary, a notification has been issued for the second stage of Special Economic Zone. The Sammelan should take a lead to protect the Tulu culture, land and water from the dangers of development and industrialization,” he advised.

“I normally deliver speeches in Kannada, even though I do converse in Tulu. My Tulu is a mixture of the language from Ramakunja, Puttur, and the language people of this town speak. Hence it is a mix of two localized versions of the language. Even if I falter in speaking, like gold, it has value,” Pejawar Swamiji said, jocularly.

Shanta V Acharya, who is not a Tuluva by origin, not only sang   the 500 year-old ‘Ley Ley Ley’ Tulu song written by Sri Vadiraja Swami, but also spoke in Tulu. Zilla panchayat president, Gladys D’A,meida, said that even though her mother tongue is Konkani, Tulu happens to be closest to her heart. Junaida from Malpe, after initially speaking in Tulu, continued in Beary, English and Hindi.

MGM College principal, Prof Venkatramana Gowda, Sammelan leaders, Prof Krishna Bhat, Dr Y N Shetty etc., were present.

Although the late evening heavy rains affected the valedictory function a little, it was held in a fitting manner.