Belgaum: The Belgavi (Belgaum) World Kannada Convention got off to a flying start, with CM declaring that the border district and city of Nelgaum belonged to Karnataka as its indivisible part, as decided by Mahajana Commission, and Dr.N.Narayana Murthy pledging himself to be re-born in Karnataka if he had one more birth.
A colour procession went round the city streets before culminating at the venue of the joyous and spacious conference, where tumultuous crowds raised slogans for Karnataka unity and Bhuvaneshwari Devi’s blessings upon Kannada language and culture. Kannada was everywhere.
Those who slogged earlier for Unification of Karnataka at a time when Kannada lands were torn asunder, and later, Mysore kingdom tried to gobble up areas of Maha/Visual Mysore, until the state was renamed as Karnataka were remembered lustily. The leaders, mostly writers, of those days also were remembered at the conference.
Inaugurating the World Kannada Convention after 25 years long years, the most famous man in Karnataka, Dr.N.R.Narayana Murthymentor of Infosys Technology , declared from Chennamma Rani Vedike that hard work and faith in oneself had to go together to make a success of one’s life in the land of one’s birth, such as Karnataka.
He advised Kannadigas to learn their jobs first, before agitating for employment as Kannadigas, in the home state. They should develop a strong love for work, as ordained by Swamy Vivekananda to his brother monks in 1900, if they have to succeed in whatever sphere of life.
He told youth of Karnataka that they were the “wealth and future” of  a developed India. He wanted to be re-born as a Kannadiga, which land offered so many opportunities to build a great future.
The CM in his keynote address to world Kannadigas told that we had the courage and purpose in securing what is our share in India. We love Kannada most.
The World Convention activities had a bright and blazing start in Belgaum on Friday evening amidst fanfare and folk shows. He lavished praise on Belgavi people’s ardent hospitality towards thousands of Kannada delegates from all over the world.