Tulu as Second Official Language: September 18 to be Celebrated as Tulu Nadu Festival, Says KPCC General Secretary Mithun Rai

Share

Share

Share

Share

Email

Share

Mangaluru : In a historic decision for the coastal region, the State Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Mangaluru on Friday officially declared Tulu as the second official language of Karnataka. Hailing the move as a moment of true celebration for the Tulu-speaking population, KPCC General Secretary Mithun Rai announced during a press conference at the Moodbidri Press Club on Saturday that September 18 will henceforth be commemorated annually across the district as ‘Tulu Nadu Habba’ (Tulu Nadu Festival). He emphasized that granting official recognition at the state level serves as a crucial stepping stone toward including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. To further popularize the language and heritage beyond political lines, Congress workers will visit homes and commercial establishments to distribute Tulu flags and emblems, encouraging everyone to proudly display them.

Mithun Rai expressed profound gratitude on behalf of all Tuluvas to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, activists, and various organizations who relentlessly fought for the language’s recognition. He noted that although several past Chief Ministers hailed from the coastal region, none took the decisive step to confer official language status upon Tulu. Beyond the linguistic milestone, he highlighted that the cabinet meeting earmarked substantial grants and tailored schemes for the comprehensive development of the 322 sq km coastal belt, with a heavy focus on tourism to boost the local economy and create new employment opportunities.

Additionally, Rai outlined several major infrastructure projects approved for the region, including the construction of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology facilities at Moodushedde within the Moodbidri assembly constituency. Key initiatives such as the Shambhavi Tech Park—which will be expedited through a single-window system—the Mangaluru Water Metro, and the establishment of a Marine University are set to transform the regional economy. Congress leaders Praveen Jain, Purandara Devadiga, Anish, and Praveen Poojary were among those present at the press meet.