Mangaluru: Prasad Vijay Shetty, who is touring India on a bicycle to gain support for national recognition for the Tulu language, was felicitated by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy at its office in Urwa Store in Mangaluru, on April 8.

The 26-year-old, who is a resident of Nellikar, is presently on a 19-day journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, displaying a “flag of Tulunadu.”

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President A C Bhandary said that youth of the coastal region should strive harder for the national recognition of the Tulu language. He also commended Prasad for his unique initiative and wished him good luck for the rest of his journey.

Bhandary also said that despite Tulu having a history of 2500 years, it is yet to receive constitutional status under the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution. Many writers, organisations and activists have joined hands to get the deserved recognition for the language and to fight for the survival of “Tulunaadu.”

He added that the Tulu Sahitya Academy supported these demands within the limits set by the law. Only unified efforts can bring results, he said.

Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy’s former president Dr. Vaman Nandavara, members Dr. Y N Shetty, Dr. Vasudev Belle and Sudhanagesh, Registrar Chandrahas Rai and others were present.