Learn Kannada properly
Whenever non-Kannadiga V V IPs from other states begin their speeches in Kannada, the audience, mainly Kannadigas, appreciate their gesture with applause. Even though, it is known very well to most people that these V V I Ps are only reading out from the original text which is either in English or Hindi,  Kannadigas, still appreciate the respect shown to their mother-tongue.

But, these V V IPs must not end their efforts to merely uttering a sentence or two in Kannada, but they should also learn to pronounce the names of important persons, places, of a particular State or region(in this case, Karnataka) properly. Otherwise, their use of an alien language may invite derisive laughter from the public.
The new Governor of Karnataka Rameshwar Thakur did a commendable thing, when he began his speech in Kannada at the inaugural function of a seminar on ‘Rehabilitation and Conservation of Heritage Sites’ organised by the Indian Building Congress in, Bangalore, on Friday. But, his later use of some names of famous rulers of namma-Kannada naadu evoked a snigger among a section of the audience. For example Mr Thakur pronounced the word Kadambas as Kambadas and Chalukyas as Chakulyas. The Governor also pronounced the world famous historical place-Pattadakal as Padakkal!.

— K N Reddy

Mourning for ‘Aag’
The venue was Christ College, the event was a concert, and the singer was K K. But just before the concert began, the host asked the gathering to stand for a minute in silence.

Condolence during a concert by KK? Everyone in the gathering stood without any idea, why this grief at the time of fun? But, the host was Cyrus Broacha and the the Minute's silence was to mourn the release of Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag! And thereafter, there was not a single person in the gathering that could control the laughter as Cyrus carried on ripping Varma, Amitabh, Mohanlal and others in his witty way before K K made his appearance.

— Anantha Subramanyam 

A rush for minority tag
It was a hearing of an appeal filed by the State Religious and Linguistic Minorities Professional Colleges Association before the High Court. During his arguments, Senior Counsel P S Rajagopal pointed out that followers of a Hindu religious denomination did not want to be called as a Hindu sect. To this, Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph reacted, “If such Hindu religious denominations go on refusing to be termed as Hindus, then soon,  Hindus will also become a minority in this country!”

Rajagopal continued to illustrate the followers of different religious mutts who claimed to be out of the Hindu religion and also mentioned some communities claiming minority status on the basis of their language. In an obvious reference to the increasing craving for minority status and its benefits, he commented: “One day, India may become an aggregate of minorities!”

— Rashmi R Hebbur

Bank’s ad irks  audience
Commercial breaks make Television viewers often upset. Those who attended the Karnataka State Film awards presentation ceremony held on, last Thursday, at Jnanajyothi auditorium, in Central College Campus had to undergo a similar experience. The ceremony was telecasted live by D D Chandana. Audience in the auditorium could also watch what was being shown by the channel on wide screens set up on either side of the stage. A nationalised bank had sponsored the programme for the channel. Along with viewers of the channel, audience in the auditorium too had to bear the bank’s advertisement.

Time and again, the same advertisement was shown putting their patience to test. The disturbance continued even while screening the clippings of award-winning movies. After the screening of every clipping, the advertisement would bother the audience. At the end, many people went out with a doubt whether the bank sponsored the programme for the channel or the award presentation ceremony itself?

— Satish Shile

Teachers in corridors!
Dr Jayaprasad N Shetty, a retired dental college principal,  shared his experiences as a member of Dental Council of India (DCI) with a media person. He recollected an incident, where the members from all over the State were invited for the DCI meeting to discuss various agendas.

During the discussion, one of the college principals, pointed at Dr Jayaprasad and said in his college, teachers are found only in the corridors. To this Dr Jayaprasad remarked: “In my college, the teachers might be found in corridors but in most colleges, including yours, the teachers are found only on paper.” The chairman, who was heading the meeting, ended this cold war between the principals by saying: “no personal attacks please!”.  It was only then the two stopped and other agendas were discussed.

— Shruthi Balakrishna

Buta Singh loyal to one family!
Welfare of Dalits is nothing but a simple arithmetic question for the National Chairperson of Commission for Scheduled Caste Buta Singh, which ends up with ‘Hence Proved’.

During his recent felicitation ceremony, in Bangalore, Buta Singh criticised almost all the governments for showing no concern for Dalits except, the regime of three prime ministers.

For this, Sikh leader from Punjab, the UPA Government, headed by the first Sikh Prime Minister of the country Dr Manmohan Singh, is no different from other governments, callous towards Dalits. So, Dr Manmohan Singh is not among the three prime ministers.

Who are the three prime ministers, concerned about Dalits? Very simple: Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. What is proved then? Maybe, that Buta is loyal to a certain family.

— G Manjusainath