Kannada Pride should Unite People Through Love and Trust, not Divide them: U.T. Khader at Mangaluru Rajyotsava
Mangaluru, Nov. 1: Kannada pride should be a unifying force that strengthens bonds of love and trust among people, rather than becoming a means to alienate speakers of other languages, said Dakshina Kannada District Minister U.T. Khader on Thursday.
Speaking after presiding over the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru, Khader said true pride in Kannada lay in building harmony, preserving cultural identity and advancing the language in a rapidly changing world.
“Kannada is not merely the name of a language; it is a mantra and a tremendous force,” he said, describing Kannada as the fragrance of the soil, the emotional thread of daily life and a living expression of Karnataka’s heritage. He said the language reflected the spirit of the Cauvery, the grandeur of the Sahyadris and the rhythm of the coastal waves, while also representing the confidence of the present and the responsibility of the future.
Khader said Karnataka’s literary and spiritual traditions had long encouraged people to rise above divisions of caste, religion, class and gender. He cited the works of Pampa, Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Kanakadasa and Kuvempu as powerful forces that broadened human thought and inspired social reform.
The minister noted that Kannada’s rich literary tradition had transformed it from a medium of communication into an instrument for questioning injustice and awakening social consciousness. With a history spanning more than 2,000 years, he said, Kannada stood among the world’s great languages and had earned the status of a Classical Language from the Government of India.
He further said that Kannadigas living across the world continued to uphold Karnataka’s reputation through their talent, work and creativity, while also introducing the language’s beauty and cultural richness to global audiences. Recalling Kuvempu’s famous line, “Elladaru Iru, Enthadaru Iru, Endendigu Nee Kannadiganaagiru,” he said the message remained timeless: even when people move away from Karnataka, they should never move away from Kannada.
Khader also reflected on Karnataka’s historical journey, noting that Kannada-speaking regions were unified on November 1, 1956, to form Mysore State, which was later renamed Karnataka on November 1, 1973. He paid tribute to the contributions of leaders of the unification movement as well as literary giants such as Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Pampa and Kuvempu. He also pointed to the eight Jnanpith Awards won by Kannada writers as proof of the language’s extraordinary literary depth.
According to him, the growth of Kannada is not the responsibility of poets and activists alone. A child writing its first letter in Kannada, a mother teaching it at home, a teacher conducting lessons in the language, a scientist using it for research, an official administering public affairs in Kannada and every citizen preserving its heritage all contribute to its strength.
Calling for greater preparation for the digital age, Khader said Kannada must actively engage with artificial intelligence, technology and digital education. He stressed the need to preserve the language’s vocabulary, dialects, folk knowledge and literature in digital form, while also producing quality scientific and technological content in Kannada. The language, he said, should not merely use technology but contribute to its advancement.
He also underlined that the future of a language depends not only on technology but on the daily lives of its speakers. The real test, he said, was whether farmers could access government services in Kannada, whether Kannada-medium students received quality education and opportunities, whether citizens could communicate with the administration in their mother tongue and whether Kannada-speaking youth found avenues in employment and entrepreneurship.
Khader said the Congress government was committed to protecting Kannada, Karnataka’s cultural identity, the state flag and the rights of Kannadigas through a concrete action plan, not mere slogans. He said the government intended to pursue official recognition for the state flag through a Cabinet resolution, political consensus, dialogue with the Union Government and a statewide public awareness campaign.
Among the proposed initiatives are hoisting the state flag at historical sites on November 1, preparing one lakh state flags, honouring veterans of the unification and Gokak movements, and expanding the “Namma Dhwaja, Namma Hemme” campaign across the state. The government also plans a state flag awareness yatra across all 31 districts, involvement of Kannadigas worldwide, steps to enable the use of Kannada in Central Government recruitment examinations, priority for Kannadigas in employment, restoration of heritage sites and promotion of the language’s digital development.
The minister also congratulated Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, saying he had earned his leadership through years of public service and organisational experience. He said it was encouraging that the Chief Minister had placed importance not only on development but also on Kannada language, culture and the aspirations of Kannadigas.
Khader said the effort to accord dignity to the state flag was significant because it sought to make it part of the people’s emotions, history and identity, rather than a symbol seen only during annual celebrations. He expressed confidence that the initiative, pursued through democratic and constitutional means, would strengthen unity in Karnataka and fulfil a long-standing aspiration of the people.
“This is not merely a Rajyotsava celebration. Our Congress government’s larger commitment is to transform respect for the state flag into a people’s movement, make Kannada identity a driving force for development and build a Karnataka that future generations can take pride in,” he said.
He also stressed that pride in one’s mother tongue should never become narrow-mindedness. “Loving Kannada does not require us to hate or reject other languages. True love for a language lies in respecting others and enriching our own by embracing the best from them,” he said.
Khader urged people to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava not just as a government function but as a festival in every household.
During the event, District Rajyotsava Awards were presented to 120 individuals and 53 organisations for their contributions. The programme also featured a march-past by police personnel, NCC cadets and students from various schools and colleges.
Among those present were MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha Gatti, Karnataka State Minimum Wages Advisory Board Chairman T.M. Shahid, Mangaluru Urban Development Authority Chairman Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Ganiga Development Corporation Chairman Vishwas Kumar Das, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy President Joachim Stanley Alvares, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. and Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy.