Bengaluru: The Karnataka flag rose high on Wednesday, as the state celebrated the 62nd Kannada Rajyotsava with fervour. The yellow and red flag was seen across the city and various government and cultural organizations hosted functions at various parts of the city.
A cultural procession goes from Town Hall to SBM Circle, organised by the Karnataka Sangatanegala Okkuta.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed a gathering at Kanteerava stadium and expressed displeasure against the Centre’s response towards making regional languages as medium of instruction in primary schools. He said, “I would write to the Centre again and request them to grant the permission and protect the interest of the people from Karnataka.”
The President of Kannada Sahitya Parishath, Manu Baligar, hoisted the flag on the premises. In his address Baligar said, “People who do not respect Kannada language and the state, are free to leave. We should learn to respect the culture and language of the state, we reside in.”
The migrant population is high in Karnataka and they should make an effort to learn Kannada, Baligar added. He also mentioned that Kannadigas themselves should use the language in their daily activities. There are several companies from foreign countries operating in the state and the government should bring in a law to provide job for the local people first.” Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) also celebrated the Kannada Rajyotsava day.
From now on, literary works of renowned Kannada poets and writers and famous proverbs and saying in Kannada should be displayed inside the buses.
Transport Minister H.M. Revanna said, “Our buses are the ambassadors to promote the language. From now on, literary works of renowned Kannada poets and writers and famous proverbs and saying in Kannada should be displayed inside the buses. These buses should spread a message creating awareness among the people about the Kannada language, the state’s culture and tradition.”
At the FKCCI office senior-vice president Sudhakar Shetty hoisted the flag and during his address he said, “We should always be proud to converse in Kannada, but the irony is that there is a section of people who think it’s embarrassing to talk in Kannada." Several government offices, various organizations autorickhsaw and taxi drivers union carried out a rally and celebrated Rajyotsava by hoisting the Karnataka flag.
CM Siddaramaiah, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, Culture Minister Umashree and Mayor Sampath Raj with this year’s Rajyotsava Awardees in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
2,040 m-long Karnataka flag bags limca record
A 2,040 metre Karnataka flag was taken out for a procession by the members of Kannada Manusugala Vedike on the occasion of 62nd Kannada Rajyotsava on Wednesday. The flag is considered to be the longest and has entered the Limca Book of Records.
The members of the Vedike said that it is for the first time such a huge flag is being carried out in a procession from Sangam Circle in Jayanagar.
“It is a proud moment to enter the Limca Book of Records. But we are even more proud to be Kannadiga and hail from a state which is well known across the world,” they added.
They also said, “We always welcome people coming from different states for various reasons. We are known for our hospitality, but it does not mean they can say ‘Kannada Gothilla’ for everything. They should make an effort to learn the language and converse in it.”
