Its been an year

Its been an year since I last posted on my blog.

So many things have happened in the last one year. So many events nationally, internationally. Some have made people happy, but majority have resulted in gloom. I am trying to recall some of them which I followed regularly, not necessarily in the chronological order, loosely in the order of their consequences. Since I follow Politics more than anything else, they are going to dominate the list.

• First the BIG one, which is hitting the entire world's population in one or the other way. Sky rocketing Crude Oil prices, which is leading to high food prices. The support the ethanol production is getting in Americas and the EU is resulting in less food grains being supplied to the developing world. Countries which do not grow their staple food are hit hard. Egypt, world's largest importer of wheat has seen violent clashes and has increased the salaries by 33% to support people to buy the wheat. Protests have also taken place in Pakistan, Afghanistan. The supply of rice to Middle East is almost cut off.
  

Ever increasing demand of energy has made developing economies like China, India also compete with US, EU for the Crude Oil in Middle East, spiraling Crude Oil Prices. India and China, at last, increased Petroleum products prices few weeks back. I do not know how far can they go shielding the half the world's population from a World Phenomenon. Its high time they educate everybody that both of them DO NOT have enough OIL with in their boundaries and they depend on overseas.

I hope at least this event makes people aware that Oil is not a permanent source of Energy and educate them to save every 'joule' of energy. Only Solar, Wind or Oceans can be answer for the world's hungry for energy.

• Second one too is a BIG one, which is important to the entire world. Barack Obama won the US Democratic Party Candidature for the US Presidential elections, after a long, close battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the beginning, analysts believed Hillary will sweep the US Democratic Primaries against Obama. But Obama with his motto of "Change" steadily built his path to victory. He will be fighting with John McCain, who is the US Republican Party Presidential Candidate. This will be great fight to watch out for.

• Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi during an Election Rally. I have read that she has never been good for India. But I think she was of some hope for US to fight the Al-quaeda.

• Russian Parliamentary and Presidential Elections. The One-party dominated (Remember Congress in Nehru's time) democracy in Russia sweeps both the polls. Vladimir Putin is continuing his strong influence in Russia as Prime Minister. He has selected Medevedev as the next President. Italy gets its 63rd Government since World War II. Argentina gets their first Woman President - Cristina Fernandez.

• Now this is a recent one. National Drama over Energy. The Nuclear Deal with US. Congress vs. CPI(M). The demand for Electricity in India is so high that, for the time being, I believe Nuclear Energy is the only answer, since all renewable sources still need more research and high investment and not capable of producing the Electricity needed. As the 2009 Union Elections are approaching, CPI(M) definitely cannot be with Congress till the Elections, as they cannot fight with their ally - Congress on their 3 strongholds - West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. On top of this their "Anti-US" agenda is inspiring them to threaten to pull out support for Congress led UPA government at the Centre.

• Now something to cheer! Karnataka gets a near-One-Party Government. After the debacle and the unholy tie ups of the opponents after the 2004 State Assembly elections, people have been eager to see one party Government. With BJP installing the first Goverment down south, BJP is now hoping to win the next Union Elections too. There is little possibility a single party Government will be installed at the Centre in near future.

• Supreme Court clears path for Arjun Singh to implement the OBC reservations in admissions to IITs, IIMs. Now his yesterday's order says the quota will also be implemented for the Teaching Faculty as well. I see the caste based reservations in Buses and trains coming in the near future.

• Now the showdown of Vote Bank! Gujjars went on rampage demanding the State/Central Government (The case went on a merry go round between the State and Centre, finally landing With Raje). The public bear the brunt of no trains between Mumbai and Delhi. The Gujjar leader Mr. Bhainsla walks free and sets an example of how to arm twist the Governments when the next elections are near, and get the work done. Is Democracy just securing the Vote-Banks?
  

• Sudden burst of protests in Tibet. And the whole Anti-China world woke up and called for dialogue between Dalai Lama and China. The protests went so far that many countries threaten to pull out of the Olympic Games, which the Chinese Government is using to show China's Prominence in today's world. China faced a mammoth Earthquake in Siachun province with the death toll raising to more than 100,000. The sorrow, the quick response of the Chinese Government, and the media freedom allowed to cover the event suppresses the Tibetan protests. A new conspiracy theory is floating around in the internet, which are linked to the 5 Olympic Mascots. There have been 5 disasters in the recent past in China which some people have linked with those Mascots. Chinese are strong believers in Superstitions. The Olympics are starting on 08-08-08 at 08:08:08 PM, yes, no prizes for guessing, 8 is the lucky number, so believe the Chinese.
  

• Another Disaster. Cyclone in Burma. The effect of that gets multiplied thanks to the Military Government in Burma. The Government even held a referendum for its new constitution amidst the disaster! The exact death toll is still unknown. Many International Media reporters are directly sent back from Rangoon Airport. China. Floods in Tobasco, Mexico, US Mid-west have been severe this time.

• Elections in 2 key African Countries go haywire. Nobody is ready to give up the post. Nobody is trying to accept the defeat. Kenya saw a long period of protests, battles. At last some sort of Compromise has been made. Robert Mugabe does not seem to give up power till he dies. Even though he lost in the First round of elections, through his Presidential influence, he made sure that he wins the second round. Zimbabwe inflation at 6 figures!

• Now the Indian Media. Sensational at its best! Price rise - Go on listing the effects of it in the first page. A short article for the reason of Price-rise in the Business Page, which 99% will not read! Who will educate the people about the World wide phenomenon? Amitabh, Rajinikanth, Shahrukh, Reality Shows, Smriti's comeback to Kyunki have come over to the front page in News papers and become Breaking News in News(?) channels. Reality show SMS business model must be growing in leaps and bounds looking at the number of Reality shows in each GEC on all Saturdays and Sundays.

• IPL took over the Front + Sports pages of almost all newspapers for almost 2 months. People replaced their serials with Cricket Matches. I guess by next year by April, there will be 2 TV sets in around 10% of households in India, one for IPL and another for non-IPL. Thank God! At least some people do not waste time on the day long Cricket Matches from now on.
  

• When I am writing this blog, Spain have won the Euro - 2008. I do not know Football much. I had read that Spain have played really well in all their matches. Spain have won in the final too. A win to cheer! No Italy, No Portugal, No controversies.
  

Many events are continuing as before.

• Global Warming increasing. Arctic Ice Caps now getting lesser. Russia plants their flag to establish sovereignty over the North Pole.
  
• Terrorism attacks/threats as before.
  
• The call for "Talks" and Dialogues" (I have heard enough of these words. I guess they will loose their meaning in a few years from now, like many few words mean now the opposite of what they meant before) for the ever continuing Middle East Crisis. Gazans broke the Border wall with Egypt because of the blockade by Israel.
  
• Iran-Nuclear crisis is still continuing. Some doubts were raised also on Syria on the basis of some satellite photographs.
  
• TOI is still printing 1/2 page news daily and they have extended the same to 3 more cities - Chennai, Goa and Jaipur. I feel sorry for them. TOI Bangalore fills 2 page news about Bangalore's new International Airport for 15 days.

I hope the days ahead brings more happiness to world.

ಮುಂದೆ ಬನ್ನಿ, ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಬನ್ನಿ

ಮುಂದೆ ಬನ್ನಿ, ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಬನ್ನಿ - ಕಮಲಹಾಸನ್ ಒಂದು ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾದಲ್ಲಿ Bus Conductor ಆಗಿ ಹಾಡುವ ಮೊದಲ ಸಾಲುಗಳು. ಈಗ Busನಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಾಡುವ ಜನರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದರೆ, Conductorಗೆ ಒಳಗೆ ನಿಂತು ಮೇಲಿನ ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಈಗೇನಿದ್ದರೂ ಹೊರಗಿನಿಂದಲೇ 'ಒಳಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗ್ರಿ' ಅಷ್ಟೆ!

Bus Conductor ಕೆಲಸ ವಿಪರೀತ ಕಷ್ಟಕರವಾದದ್ದು. ಬೆಳಗ್ಗಿನ ವಿಪರೀತ ಜನಸಂದಣಿ. Bus ಒಳಗೆ ನೂಕು-ನುಗ್ಗಲು. ಬಸ್ ಬಾಗಿಲುಗಳಿಂದ ಹೊರಕ್ಕೆ ಜೋತಾಡುವ ಜನ. ಪ್ರತಿ Bus Stopನಲ್ಲೂ Ticket ಕೊಡುವ ಕೆಲಸ ಹೊರಗೆಯೇ. ಒಳಗೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಲು ಜಾಗ ಇದ್ದರೆ ತಾನೆ? ಜೊತೆಗೆ Bus Stopನಲ್ಲಿ Busನ ಒಂದು ಬಾಗಿಲಿನಿಂದ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಬಾಗಿಲಿನೊಳಕ್ಕೆ ಏರುವ Conductorಗಳ ಸಾಹಸ. ಸಂಜೆಯ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲೂ ಇದೇ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ. ಆ ಹೊತ್ತುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜನರನ್ನು Busನ ಒಳಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತಿಸುವಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ Conductorಗಳು ಕೆಂಡಾ-ಮಂಡಲ. ಜನರೂ ಕೂಡ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಒಳಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದರೆ ತಾವು ಇಳಿಯಬೇಕಾದ Bus Stopನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಳಿಯಲಾದೀತೋ ಎಂದು ಬಾಗಿಲಲ್ಲೇ ಜೋಕಾಲಿಯಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಕಾಲೇಜು ಹುಡುಗರಿಗಂತೂ ಅದೇ ಮೋಜು.

ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು Busಗೆ ಒಂದು Character ಅನ್ನು ತಂದು ಕೊಡುವವರೇ ಅದರ Conductor. ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ, ದಿನವೂ ಅದೇ Busನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಡಾಡುವ ಜನರೊಡನೆ Conductor ಉಭಯ ಕುಶಲೋಪರಿ ಇದ್ದೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. Busನಲ್ಲಿ ಜನ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇದ್ದರಂತೂ ಜನರೊಡನೆ ಕೂತು ಮಾತು ವಿನಿಮಯ. ಇನ್ನು Busನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಲಾ-ಕಾಲೇಜು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ, Conductor ಕೂಡ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರು. ಶಾಲಾ ಮಕ್ಕಳೊಡನೆ ಅವರ ಒಡನಾಟ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ನಾನು ಕಾಲೇಜಿಗೆ ಓಡಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ Busನ Conductorಗೆ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಾಡುವ ಅಷ್ಟೂ ಜನ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. BE ಮುಗಿದ ಕೆಲವು ತಿಂಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ 43D Busನ Conductor ನಾನು ಅವರ Busನಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ದಿನಗಳಿಂದ ಕಾಣಿಸದೇ ಇದ್ದುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ, BE ಮುಗಿಯಿತಾ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದ್ದರು.

ಕೆಲವರನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ, ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ Conductorಗಳು ಕೆಲಸ ಎಷ್ಟೇ ಕಷ್ಟವಿದ್ದರೂ ಆ ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನು ಇಷ್ಟಪಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. Bus ಎಷ್ಟೇ rush ಆಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ ಜನರೋಡನೆ ಅವರಾಡುವ ಸ್ವಾರಸ್ಯಕರ ಮಾತುಗಳು Busನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಇತರರಿಗೆ ವಿನೋದ. ವಯಸ್ಸಾದವರಿಗೆ Conductorಗಳು ತೋರುವ ಕಾಳಜಿ ಇತರರಿಗೆ ಉದಾಹರಣೆ. ಬರಿ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆ ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊಂಡು ಮದುವೆಗೆ ಹೊರಟಿರುವವರಿಗೆ ಮಂಟಪದ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿಸುವವರೂ ಅವರೆ.

ಬಹುಶಃ ರಜನೀಕಾಂತ್‍ಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಿಗೆ ಜನರನ್ನು ಸೆಳೆಯುವಲ್ಲಿ, Conductor ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಜನರ ಒಡನಾಟ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿರಲೇಬೇಕು. ಹೇಗಿದ್ದರೆ, ಹೇಗೆ ಮಾತಾಡಿದರೆ ತಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಜನ ಇಷ್ಟಪಡುತ್ತಾರೆ ಎಂದು ರಜನೀಕಾಂತ್ Conductor ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಕಲಿತಿರಲೇಬೇಕು.

Bus Conductor ಅನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ, ಜನರನ್ನು ಹತ್ತಿರದಿಂದ ನೋಡುವ, ಅವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಬೆಸೆಯುವ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ವೃತ್ತಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಅಲ್ಲವೇ?

The Golden Ones

Have you ever wondered about the arrangement of florets in a Sunflower?

Whats the secret behind this pattern?

Its Nature's best kept secret - The Golden Ratio.

"Two quantities are in the golden ratio if the ratio between the sum of those quantities and the larger one is the same as the ratio between the larger one and the smaller. The golden ratio is approximately 1.6180339887."

The golden ratio can be expressed as a mathematical constant by the Greek letter φ. Expressed algebraically-

(a + b)/a = a/b = φ

This equation has as its unique positive solution the algebraic irrational number.

φ = (1 + √5)/2 ≈ 1.6180339887

There are a several geometric entities that are based on Golden Ratio.

Golden Rectangle

A golden rectangle is a rectangle whose side lengths are in the golden ration, 1:φ, that is, approximately 1:1.618. A distinctive feature of this shape is that when a square section is removed, the remainder is another golden rectangle, that is, with the same proportions as the first.

Artisits have used Golden Rectangle in their art works. The dimensions of many paintings are Golden Rectangles. Architects have also used the Golden Rectangle in their designs. The Parthenon's, the UN Headquarters in NYC are examples where Golden Rectangles have been used. Golden Ratio was also used in constructing Egyptian Pyramids.

Golden Angle

The golden angle is the smaller of the two angles created by sectioning the circumference of a circle according to the golden ratio that is, into two arcs such that the ratio of the length of the larger arc to the smaller is the same as the ratio of the full circumference to the larger.

Algebraically, let c be the circumference of a circle, divided into a longer arc of length a and a smaller arc of length b such that

c = a + b and c/a = a/b

The golden angle is then the angle formed by the smaller arc of length b. It measures approximately 137.51°.

The Plant kingdom uses Golden Angle extensively in the arrangement of leaves, branches, petals, florets. In the picture, a new leaf is formed at golden angle to the previous one.

The florets in Sunflower are arranged at golden angles forming a spiral arrangement. Golden angle results in the most optimal way of arranging the florets. In the figure below depicting arrangement of florets in Sunflower, Floret 1 is at a golden angle to floret 2. Similarly Floret 2 forms a golden angle with floret 3.

Any better mathemetician than nature?

Read More

• Fibonacci Numbers
• Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio
• Fibonacci Sequence in Nature
• Logarithmic Spiral
  

The Green Oscars

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are presented every year to renewable projects in UK and developing countries in the world which aim at protecting the environment and improving the quality of life. The Ashden Awards are also called the Green Oscars. Read More

This year, projects BIOTECH from Kerala, SKG Sangha from Karnataka have won the awards under Biogas category. This year's 'Outstanding award', awarded to a past winner whose work has accelerated since winning an award has been given to Bangalore based Selco.

SKG Sangha has radically improved the lives of thousands of rural families in Karnataka, by supplying them with both dung based biogas plants for cooking and a specially designed unit that turns the slurry from the biogas plant into high quality fertiliser. It provides a cheap, reliable source of energy, reduces indoor air pollution and eases pressure on forest resources. The units supplied by SKG Sangha produce fertiliser simply by combining the slurry with straw and leaves and then adding worms which re-digest the mixture to produce vermicompost. SKG Sangha has installed over 43,000 biogas plants in the state of Karnataka alone.

The SKG Sangha's plant can be easily installed in rual areas where dung is readily available. We do have this plant installed at our native village. The plant needs no major maintainence. The gas produces highly bluish flame making it better than the LPG!

BIOTECH has succeeded in tackling the problem of the dumping of food waste in the streets of Kerala through the installation of biogas plants that use the food waste to produce gas for cooking and, in some cases, electricity for lighting; the residue serves as a fertiliser. To date BIOTECH has built and installed an impressive 12,000 domestic plants (160 of which also use human waste from latrines to avoid contamination of ground water), 220 institutional plants and 17 municipal plants that use waste from markets to power generators.

The BIOTECH Project is really boom for the urban areas. It can be easily installed in every house hold in cities as having a underground small plant is feasible. This also results in proper disposal of organic wastes, also reduces the pressure on under ground drainage.

Selco, based in Bangalore, provides its solar photovoltaic, electricity generating technology to families through microfinance, which means underwriting the cost for poor families. The price of a Selco solar home system is between US$275 and US$325 and it uses solar power to charge batteries during the day so lights and other appliances can run off them during dark hours.

With long power cuts in rural areas, Selco's solar systems have become a saviour of the rural people, also easing the pressure to build more power plants.

Rural India is making great progress in the field of sustainable energy by harnessing Solar energy and the bio-wastes. Thanks to Government's encouragement and sky rocketing electricity bills, people in urban India are going for solar water heaters. Much research needs to be done in the field of harnessing energy from the huge amount of wastes produced by the cities. Making Rain water harvesting and a small bio-gas plant mandatory in every house hold in cities makes a good start.

ಅವರ್ರಾ? ಗಂಟೆನಾ?

"ಇನ್ನು ಎಷ್ಟ್ ಹೊತ್ತಾಗುತ್ತಪ್ಪ?"

"ಇನ್ನು ಮೂರ್ ಅವರ್ ಅಗುತ್ತೆ ಸಾರ್."

ಇಂತಹ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ, ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತ ಇದೇ ಮಾದರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತರ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಅಯ್ಯೊ! ಇದೆಂತಹ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ, ಈ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಮುಂದೆ ಇಲ್ಲ! ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಈ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೂ, ಉತ್ತರಕ್ಕೂ, ಈ ಬರಹಕ್ಕೂ ಏನು ಸಂಬಂಧ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತೀರ? ನಾನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಈ ಉತ್ತರದಲ್ಲಿನ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಷ್ಟೆ.

ಮೂರ್ ಅವರ್! ಅಯ್ಯೋ, ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ 'ಗಂಟೆ' ಎನ್ನುವ ಪದವಿಲ್ಲವೇ ಬಳಸಲಿಕ್ಕೇ? ಹೋಗಲಿ ಬೇಡ, ತ್ರೀ ಅವರ್ಸ್ ಅಂದರೂ ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ, ಕನ್ನಡ ಅಂಕಿಯ ಜೊತೆ ಬಲವಂತದ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ ಬಳಸುವುದೇತಕ್ಕೆ? ಏನು, ಮೂರು ಕೆಜಿ ಎನ್ನುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೇ ಎನ್ನುವುದಾದರೆ, ಕೆಜಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ಪದವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂಕಿ, ಅಳತೆಗಳ ವಿಚಾರವಲ್ಲ, ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾದುದು, ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಲವಂತವಾಗಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ ತೂರಿಸುವುದೇಕೆ?

ಹೌದು, ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರೂ, ದಿನನಿತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಂಗ್ಲ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಲೀಲಾಜಾಲವಾಗಿ ಈಗೀಗ ಬಳಸುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಆಂಗ್ಲ ಪದಗಳಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಾನಾಂತರ ಪದಗಳಿಲ್ಲ. ಆ ಸಂಧರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವುಗಳ ಬಳಕೆ ಸರಿ, ಸಮಂಜಸ. ಕೆಲವು - ಮೊಬೈಲ್, ಸ್ಪೀಕರ್... ಇವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸಬಹುದಾದರೂ ಅವುಗಳ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಇರುವ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳ ಬದಲು ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷ್ ಪದವೇಕೆ?

ನೋಡಿ, ತಿಂಡಿ - tiffin, ಲೋಟ - glass, ತಟ್ಟೆ - plate, ಖಂಡಿತ -guarantee, ಕೋಣೆ - room.. ಹೀಗೆ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಮುಗಿಯುವುದೇ ಕಾಣೆ! ಏಕೆ ಹೀಗೆ? ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನಮ್ಮವರಿಗೆ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನ ವ್ಯಾಮೋಹ ಹೆಚ್ಚೇ ಎನ್ನಿ. ನಾನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷನ್ನು ಕಲಿಯಬಾರದೆನ್ನುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಬಳಸುವ ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ 'ಆದಷ್ಟು' ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳನ್ನೇ ಬಳಸುವುದಕ್ಕೇನು? ಇದು ಕೇವಲ ಕನ್ನಡ-ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನ ಚರ್ಚೆಯಲ್ಲ. ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳ ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಪದಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹೇರಳವಾಗಿ ಬಳಸುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಕಣ್ಣಾಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ - ನೇತ್ರಾಲಯ, ಬೀದಿ - ರಸ್ತೆ, ಗುಡಿ - ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ. ವಾರಗಳ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದಿಂದಲೇ ಎರವಲು ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ನೋಡಿ, ಕಣ್ಣಾಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರಿಟ್ಟರೆ, ಯಾವುದೋ ಮೂರನೇ ದರ್ಜೆಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಎಂದು ಜನ ಎಂದುಕೊಂಡಾರು ಅಂತ ಭಾವಿಸಿ, ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ದರ್ಜೆಯದ್ದು ಎಂದೆನಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತದೆಂದು, 'ನೇತ್ರಾಲಯ' ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರಿಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿದರೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ದರ್ಜೆ ಎಂಬುದು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಜನರ ನಂಬಿಕೆ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮೇಲೆ ಏಕೀ ಕೀಳರಿಮೆ?

ಇದೇ ವಾದವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕೆಲವರ ಮುಂದೆ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇರಿಸಿದಾಗ, 'ಬೇರೆ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸುವ ದೊಡ್ಡತನವಿರಬೇಕು', ಎಂಬ ಉತ್ತರ ಬಂತು. ಇದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷನ್ನು ಉದಾಹರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹೌದು, ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಬೇರೆ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಪದಗಳೇ ಇವೆ. ಅದು ಇಂದು ಸರ್ವ ವ್ಯಾಪಿ. ಆದರೆ ಅದು ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪಿಯಾಗಿರುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣಗಳೇ ಬೇರೆ. ಬಹುಪಾಲು ಜಗತ್ತನ್ನು ಆವರಿಸಿದ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ಒಂದಾದರೆ, ಯು.ಎಸ್.ಎ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅದರ ಬಳಕೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಾರಣ. ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಹೇರಳವಾಗಿ ಬೇರೆ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿದರೆ, ಅದೂ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಂತೆ ಆಗಬಹುದು ಎಂದೆನಿಸಿದರೆ ಅದು ಅಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಅಷ್ಟೆ.

ನನ್ನ ಮಾತೃ ಭಾಷೆ ತಮಿಳು ಮೂಲವಾದ ಸಂಕೇತಿಯಾದುದರಿಂದ, ತಮಿಳು ನನಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಓದಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಕಲಿಯಲು ಇನ್ನೂ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ತಮಿಳು ಇಂದು ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಭಾರತದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗ್ರ ಸ್ಥಾನ ಪಡೆದಿದೆಯೆಂದರೆ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣ ಅದರ ಪದಗಳ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತಿಕೆ. ತಮಿಳರಿಗೆ ಅದರ ಮೇಲಿರುವ ಪ್ರೀತಿ, ಗೌರವ. ಕನ್ನಡ-ತಮಿಳು ಎರಡಕ್ಕೂ ಸಮನಾದ ಇತಿಹಾಸವಿದ್ದಾರೂ, ಕನ್ನಡ ತನ್ನ ಅದೇ ರೂಪವನ್ನು ಕಾಯ್ದುಕೊಂಡಿಲ್ಲ. ಕನ್ನಡ, ತೆಲುಗು, ಮಲಯಾಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದ ಪದಗಳು ಹೇರಳವಾಗಿ ನುಸುಳಿವೆ. ತಮಿಳು ಹಾಗೇ ಕಾಯ್ದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ ಎಂದು ನಾನು ಹೇಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಎಷ್ಟೋಪಾಲು ವಾಸಿ. ಈ ಕನ್ನಡ-ತಮಿಳು ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ, ತಿಂಗಳ್ - ಚಂದ್ರ, ಅರಸ್ - ಸರ್ಕಾರ, ಇಳೈ - ಭೂಮಿ, ವಂಡಿ - ಗಾಡಿ... ನೋಡಿ ತಮಿಳಿನ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಪದಗಳು ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಇವೆ. 'ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳಿ'ನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ತಿಂಗಳು ಮರೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. 'ಅ-ಅರಸ'ವನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ರಾಜರೇ ರಾರಾಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಯಾವುದೋ ಕವಿತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ, 'ಇಳೆ'ಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ಬೇರೆಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಕಂಡಿಲ್ಲ. 'ಉಗಿಬಂಡಿ'ಯನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಬಂಡಿ ಎಲ್ಲೋ, ಯಾವಾಗಲೋ ದಾರಿತಪ್ಪಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಪದಗಳು ನಮಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯವೇ ಇಲ್ಲ.

ಎಂತಹ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ನೋಡಿ, ಇದ್ದರೂ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಹದ್ದು.

ನಾನು ಬೇರೆ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಕಲಿಯಬೇಡಿಯೆಂದು ಎಂದೂ ಹೇಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರೆಯಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕನ್ನಡದ್ದೇ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿ ಎಂದಷ್ಟೇ. ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ನಮಗ್ಯಾಕೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದಾದರೆ, 'ಕನ್ನಡವನ್ನು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಲ್ಲದೇ ಬೇರಾರೂ ಬಳಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ' ಎಂಬುದೇ ನನ್ನ ಉತ್ತರ.

ಮೇಲಿನ ಬರಹದಲ್ಲಿ, ನಾನು ಕೂಡ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿದ್ದರೆ, ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಪದಗಳಿಲ್ಲದೆಯೋ, ಇಲ್ಲ, ಇದ್ದೂ ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿರದೇ ಅಷ್ಟೆ. ಇದ್ದೂ ಬಳಸಿದ್ದರೆ ಸಮನಾದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಸೂಚಿಸಿ.