Release of video to popularise Kannada marks award ceremony

Youthful zest marked this year’s State Rajyotsava award ceremony. The ceremony began with the official release of ‘Baarisu Kannada Dimdimava,’ a six-minute video produced by the Information department.

The video, which aims to catch the attention of youngsters in the State, encouraging them to embrace Kannada, was released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This video will be played in all multiplexes this month, said officials. As this is the 60th State formation day, awards were given to 60 achievers from different walks of life. The awardees were given a gold medal, cash prize of Rs one lakh and a citation.

Literature, law, media, sports, science, environment, agriculture, folklore, medicine, theatre, cinema, dance and music, research and social work were the streams from which the awardees were picked. Actors Sowcar Janaki and Saadhu Kokila, Justice A J Sadashiva, Kathak artiste Chithra Venugopal are the well-known names. The youngest on the dais to receive the award was 21-year-old differently abled swimmer Niranjan Mukundan. For the first time, the State also honoured a transgender activist, Akkai Padmashaali.

‘Don’t return awards’

Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah assured that the investigation was progressing in the Kalburgi assassination case. He asked those who have returned the State awards to take them back. “The awards were given in recognition of your services. I request you to take them back,” he said. The chief minister called upon people of the State to help in ensuring freedom of expression. “Tolerance is our culture. When tolerance is lost, peace is lost,” he added.

Referring to controversies involving the State’s borders and its water resources, Siddaramaiah said the government was committed to protect its rightful share of land and water. As for the language policy, the State was keen on introducing Kannada as a medium of instruction in primary classes. However, since the Supreme Court has struck down this decision, he had approached the prime minister, requesting him to convene a meeting of all chief ministers to ensure that the language of each State is promoted and safeguarded, Siddaramaiah said.

Stir over Gujarati Utsav at Raj Bhavan

Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) staged a protest in front of Raj Bhavan alleging that Gujarati Utsav was being celebrated on its premises on the day of Karnataka Rajyotsava.

KRV members, led by Praveen Shetty, alleged that the Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala had invited members of the Gujarati community and celebrated their Utsav on the day of Karnataka Rajyotsava, said the police.

A senior police officer said, “We rushed to the spot and detained eight KRV members including Shetty and took them to the Cubbon Park police station. We have provided adequate security at Raj Bhavan and the protestors will be booked in accordance with the law.”

Meanwhile, KRV members demanded that Vala be removed from the governor’s post for hurting sentiments of the Kannada people.