Mangalore  : The 12th Chavadi Koota of the Tulu Sahitya Academy was held at the Academy hall in Mangalore on December 22, Saturday. Senior journalist Malar Jayaram Rai was honoured on the occasion with the Chavadi Sanmana.

A Talk on ‘Media’s Contribution to the Development of Tulu Literature and Culture’ was held on the occasion. Several journalists spoke on the subject. Malara Jayaram Rai emphasized the need for the media to also strive towards inclusion of Tulu in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

UK Kumarnath, journalist with Vijaya Karnataka, said even AIR helped in promoting Tulu language to a great extent.  BP Harish Rai, President of DK District Working Journalists’ Association, Kiran Manjanbailu, President of Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association, Balakrishna Puttige, Dayasagar Chowta, journalists, also spoke on the occasion.

Umanath Kotian, Tulu Sahitya Academy President, who presided over the function said the Academy was doing whatever possible to pressurize the government to include Tulu in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. He also said the Academy would take a delegation to the prime minister to discuss the issue.

Yadava Karkera welcomed the gathering, Kadri Navaneetha Shetty compered the programme.