The representation of Tuluvas in government employment in Tulunad has become very low, while recruitment of people from outside Tulunad is taking place in various sectors. Government jobs in our region should be accessible to Tuluvas, and a movement should be undertaken in this regard, said S. R. Bandimar, head of Times of Kudla.

He was speaking at the annual meeting of Jai Tulunad (R.), ‘Varshada Koodu Pattanga’, held at Mannagudda School in Kudla. The programme also included the inauguration of the Jai Tulunad Kudla unit, the launch of the Tulunad T-shirt, and a Tulu script training workshop.

Inaugurating the Jai Tulunad Kudla unit, MLA Vedavyas Kamath said, “It is our priority to include the Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule and make Tulu an official language of the state. We have brought this matter to the attention of our Chief Minister and ministers, and the issue has also been raised in the Legislative Assembly. We are expecting a positive response from the government.”

Shilpa, a fourth-grade student of Popular Bunts English Medium School, submitted a representation to the MLA through ‘Bale Tulu Lipit’, requesting that Tulu script be displayed on signboards across the city of Kudla.

Actor Rupesh Shetty said, “Jai Tulunad is an important organisation working for Tulu language enthusiasts. It is encouraging to see the organisation rendering selfless service for the preservation and development of the language.”

The Tulu script training workshop held in the afternoon was inaugurated by Dayananda G. Kattalsar, President of the Tulu Sahitya Academy. He introduced the children to the basic letters of the Tulu script and encouraged every Tuluva to learn the script.

Certificates and mementoes were presented by the Jai Tulunad Kudla unit to the children who completed the Tulu script training.

Tulu Sahitya Academy member Akash Raj Jain, Vismaya Vinayak, Yajister Berke, president of Berke Friends, Christian priest William Kunder, and Jesintha D’Souza, headmistress of Mannagudda Government School, among others, participated in the programme. Jai Tulunad General Secretary Sadashiva Mudradi was also present.

The appointment of office-bearers of the Jai Tulunad central committee and Kudla unit was also carried out on the occasion.

Jai Tulunad Central Committee Office-Bearers

Sudarshan Moolya was appointed President, Uday Vice-President, Sadashiva Mudradi General Secretary, Vals Mascarenhas Joint Secretary, Avinash Mukta Finance Coordinator, Prashanth Birwa Spokesperson, Ashwath Tuluva Kudla Zone Coordinator, Ravichandra Karla Organisational Secretary, Ashraf Bastikodi Joint Organisational Secretary, Rakshith Kotyan Joint Kudla Zone Coordinator, and Suraj Poojary Student Organiser.

Jai Tulunad Kudla Unit Office-Bearers

Roshan Kudla was appointed President of the Kudla unit, Rithesh Secretary, Rakshan Finance Coordinator, Ramesh Joint Secretary, Akshay Tulu Script Coordinator, Sanath Kumar Media Coordinator, and Aalokith Kudla Special Report Coordinator.

Unit office-bearer Dhananjaya Kumar presented an artistic representation of the ‘Om’ symbol in Tulu script to the school. Tulu script teachers were also honoured during the programme.

T-shirts representing the culture of Tulunad were displayed and made available for sale. Vishu Shrikar delivered the introductory speech, while the programme was compered by newly appointed Jai Tulunad President Sudarshan Moolya.