Govt firm on inviting Narayana Murthy for World Kannada Conference

BANGALORE: Refusing to buckle under pressure from various Kannada organisations, the Karnataka government today stuck to its decision of inviting Chief Mentor of Infosys N R Narayana Murthy for inaugurating the World Kannada Conference next week.

Pro-Kannada organisations have questioned the government's choice and Murthy's contribution to Kannada, alleging he never promoted the cause of the language and had not provided employment opportunities to Kannadigas in the company headquartered here, an information technology showpiece.

Asked about the opposition to Murthy's selection, Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa said, "We have taken decision after eliciting suggestions and acceptance from everybody. Things will take place as planned".

Yeddyurappa did not respond when asked if the software icon had accepted the invitation.

A press release issued here said Murthy has been invited to inaugurate, without mentioning if he had accepted it.

A Kannada and Culture Department official said on condition of anonymity that Murthy is "hurt" by opposition by some Kannada organisations to his choice.

The second "Vishwa Kannada Sammelana" (World Kannada Conference) would be held for three days from March 11 in the district headquarters town of Belgaum bordering Maharashtra. The first such Conference was held way back in 1985 in Mysore.

The state government is pulling out all stops to make it a grand success. It has already released Rs 33 crore for the gala event, which would feature a variety of programmes, depicting the culture and heritage of Karnataka in the backdrop of modern times.

Yeddyurappa said lakhs of Kannadigas would participate in the Conference.