by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore
Mysore, Jan 4: It was a befitting recognition of contributions made by Star of Mysore Editor K.B. Ganapathy (KBG) to the field of journalism in Mysore city and old Mysore region when he was honoured with the prestigious H K Veeranna Gowda award for Journalism here last evening.
Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. J. Shashidhara Prasad presented the award to KBG at the valedictory of Kuvempu's 102nd birth anniversary and Viswa Manava Day, at Vivekananda PU College in Jayalakshmipuram under the joint auspices of Sri Kuvempu Vidya Parishat and Sri Kuvempu Vidyavardhaka Trust.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Prasad said Mysoreans had become addicted to Star of Mysore, that they felt restless if they did not get the paper in the evening. KBG had made the educated people to develop a craze for Star of Mysore in the evenings.
The Vice-Chancellor said he was fascinated by the way KBG gave headlines and recalled a headline 'Twice-born Librarian' given about 20 years ago.
Describing KBG's columns as 'thought-provoking', he said the two newspapers edited by KBG (Star of Mysore and Mysooru Mithra) gave thrust to local information and events which were not found in national dailies.
"Weather forecasts may fail, but KBG's political forecasts have often come true. It is not known how he predicts," Prof. Prasad remarked commending the editor's intuitive ability.
Dig at NGOs
Endorsing KBG's campaign against some of the so-called environmentalists and NGOs, he cited an example of how NGOs had become rich after tsunami hit Tamil Nadu.
Quoting a newspaper report, he said those NGOs, who were operating from a small building before tsunami disaster, are now operating from posh buildings.
"After tsunami they have become very rich overnight. They live in posh buildings paying rent from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 and move around in deluxe cars," he added.
Prof. H.S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar (HSK), a noted columnist for SOM and MM since many years, said H.K. Veerannagowda practised ideal journalism. "Ganapathy is following his footsteps," he added.
Recalling the days of the birth of SOM and MM, HSK said that KBG filled the void when there were no fullfledged, quality local newspapers in Mysore. KBG had to come all the way from Kodagu to fulfil the task, he added.
Saying that KBG's two newspapers were no less than any national daily, he added: "The two newspapers, apart from reporting news, also provide tips for social reforms."
A charmer
Describing KBG as a 'charmer' (Modigara), who has cast a spell over his readers through his columns, Chutuku Sahitya Parishat Convenor Dr. M.G.R. Urs recalled a couple of interesting anecdotes.
No prejudice, please!
Former Vice-Chancellor and eminent writer Prof. D. Javaregowda (Dejagow) regretted that many journalists work with prejudice and indulge in nepotism. "In our country there is no ethics in journalism," he remarked.
He urged the journalists to de-velop social commitment as India was suffering from many social evils and added that KBG was a journalist with such commitment.
Any society or country would not survive without discipline. KBG has come from Kodagu, a land of disciplined soldiers like Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Gen. K.S. Thimayya. Hence, he could achieve success, Deja-gow remarked.
Making a special mention of two Kannada novels of KBG, Adarshavadi and Kodagina mele Shilubeya Neralu, Dejagow advised KBG not to stop writing novels.
Former Dryland Development Board Chairman K.R. Mohankumar and musicologist Vid. V. Nanjundaswamy spoke on the influence of KBG over his readers.
"For many, there will be no morning without Mysooru Mithra and no evening without Star of Mysore," Mohan Kumar remarked.
T.S. Chayapathy of T.V. Memorial Series, who has published four works of KBG, described him as a rare journalist.
Dr. Kalegowda Nagawara, Professor, Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS), Manasagangotri, who spoke on the importance of poet laureate Kuvempu, likened the poet to Lord Buddha and Basavesvara for his social commitment as a writer.
Kuvempu Vidya Parishat Chairman Dr. S.N. Ramaswamy presided. General Secretary Dr. K.A. Padmaji read the citation of the award.
Kuvempu Vidyavardhaka Trust Chairman Dr. T. Prabhu was present on the dais. Lecturer Suma conducted the programme.