Mangaluru : English is not inevitable for science, it’s just a misconception. Most inventions of science are in English. They all need to reach general public through the mother tongue,” DRDO DEBEL Director Dr. T. M. Kotresh commented.

In his message for the inaugural function of the 16th Kannada Vijnana Sammelana, a three-day event organised by Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana (Karnataka) in association with Department of IT, BT, Science and Technology, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Kannada and Culture Department and Mangalore University at the ‘Mangala Stadium’ of Mangalore University on Wednesday, he welcomed National Education Policy (NEP) which emphasizes on mother tongue. He expressed concern that science writers in Kannada should increase and quality should not get affected during the process.

Ramakrishna Math President Jitakamananda Swamiji, in his inaugural address, claimed with examples that India was a scientifically advanced country. “There are astonishing scientific structures in our country. People, especially children should know about those. They too should be proud of our country”.

Minister for Higher Education, IT, BT, Science and Technology Dr. Ashwath Narayana C N , in his video message, said that presenting scientific inventions in mother tongue is an invaluable gift. This process should be extended to all universities and colleges. The government is ready to provide necessary assistance, he assured. In his presidential address, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya recalled K. I Vasu who founded the Indigenous Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana.

Awards
In the same vein, the Indian Institute of Science, Aerospace Engineering Department, COEN Hypersonics Chairman Prof. G Jagadish was honoured with ‘Bharath Rathna Dr. Sir M Visvesvaraya Science Award’. Senior Music Scholar Dr. Vidyabhushana was honoured with ‘Dr. Bhimsen Joshi Cultural Science Award ʼ and CIIRC Director Dr. Krishna Venkatesh was honoured with ‘Bharath Rathna Dr. CNR Rao Science Award’. The Souvenir of the conference was released. ‘Namma Hemmeya Bharathiya Vijnanigalu’ and ‘Vijnana Vismaya’, two books by Saraswathi S. Rao were released on the occasion.

Swadeshi Vijnana Andolana (Karnataka) President Capt.Ganesh Karnik welcomed the guests. Working President Dr. C Renuka Prasad, General Secretary Ramesh H, Coastal District Unit Head Dr. Shivaprakash, Mangalore University Registrar Dr. Kishore Kumar CK, Science Dean Dr. Manjunatha Pattabhi were also present. Dr. Dhananjaya Kumble mastered the ceremony.

Dignitaries gave floral tribute to the portrait of Late Dr. Sir M Visvesvaraya on his 161st birth anniversary. Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya also inaugurated the three-day art exhibition by Karavali Chitrakala Chavadi.