Puttur : Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, inaugurated the Akhila Bharata Tulu Sammelana held at Puttur on October 7, Friday.

The convention was organized by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, Kannada and Culture Department, and Central Institute of Indian Languages of Mysore.

Speaking after inaugurating the convention, Dr. Heggade said that the people of tulunadu must try to reserve the cultural heritage and language ad work hard to promote their culture and traditions in other countries too.

Prof. Dr. Vivek Rai, the visiting professor of German University, said that the use of Internet has simplified the work of people who wish to learn tulu language and the World Tulu Convention has increased interest in Tulu speaking people..

Participating as the chief guest on the occasion, Shobha Karandlaje, the state energy minister, released a number of books. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel presided over the event. Puttur MLA Mallika Prasad hoisted the flag.

Chinnappa Gowda, Dr. Sunita Shetty, Sudha S. Rai, Savanoor GP president and Divakar Shetty Sangli were present on the dais.

A grand procession of Tulu artists, illustrating the rich culture of Tulunad, was held from Padmavathi Basadi to the venue.