Mangaluru : Kannada Rajyotsava programme saw, the Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, showered praises on writers, activits, poets recollecting generations of rich contributions to Kannada language. The Minister who hoisted the flag and took guard of honour at the programme organized at Nehru Maidan here on Wednesday November 1 by the district administration.He said that as per documents available, Kannada with its impressive history spanning over fifteen hundred years also saw launch of Karnataka unification movement launched by Alur Venkat Rao in 1905, Kannadigas.

D Devaraj Urs, the then Chief Minister, was instrumental in renaming the state as Karnataka on November 1,1973,” he said and explained that “On the basis of language, India regrouped states and. Mysore state was formed on November 1, 1956, by bringing together areas where Kannada was predominant.

Poets, writers and Kannada activists were praised for contributing to the progress of the language.Dr Shivaram Karanth, Panje Mangesh Rao, and Manjeshwar Govinda Pai were paid,rich tributes. He saids Fr Ferdinand Kittel in Mangalore happened to be first to edit Kannada-English dictionary and also bring out first publication in Kannada,in the name of ‘Mangaluru Samachara’.

Rai said that it is important to conserve Kannada by taking measures like making its use mandatory in administration, extensive use of Kannada software, compulsory Kannada learning from primary schools. Government have taken for the promotion of the language and also the people of Karnataka. He said and full fledged parks, and water supply in urban areas have bben sanctioned of funds under ‘Bidai’ scheme by department of minorities welfare towards the marriages of poor girls. He said young people in particular should protect Kannada language and land and should struggle also for uphold richness of Karnataka.

15 Achievers drawn from various fields were presented district level Kannada Rajyotsava awards . by the Minister Ramanath Rai on this occasion.

Impressive Tableaus participated in the processions before the function, a procession from Ambedkar Circle in the city to Nehru Maidan, were district level Rajyotsava programme.was held.At the venue, present wereMP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Chief whip of the state legislative council, Ivan D’Souza, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Sasikumar Senthil, Kavita Sanil, Mayor, Rajneesh, Deouty Mayor, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat president, Meenakshi Shanthigodu, and several other dignitaries .