The extension of the Kannada course for non-Kannadiga officials, to all non-Kannadigas from this year, has evoked a good response.

The Kannada and Culture directorate and the city-based Central Institute for Indian Languages (CIIL) have been offering a 12-month postal course in Kannada, under distant education system, to non-Kannadiga government employees in the state, since 1985. The course usually begins on November 1 to mark Kannada Rajyothsava.

All employees of municipal bodies, electricity supply companies and corporations, KSRTC, universities, schools and colleges, nationalised banks and other establishments that get government aid can enroll for the course. Those who pass the course get an exemption from the Kannada exam conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission for non-Kannadiga officials. The officials, who attend the contact classes and exams of the course, get attendance under OOD.

Now, the course is extended to any non-Kannadiga, in view of popularising the language and to encourage people to learn it. Those who apply for the course should be in the age group of 18 to 50 years and should have passed SSLC or an equivalent exam.

The applicants should send a demand draft for Rs 250, along with the application. They will get the study materials in 20 chapters.

Application forms are available with the in-charge officer, Postal Kannada Course Project, CIIL, Manasagangothri, Mysuru, 570 006.

One can send a self-addressed envelop, with a stamp for Rs 5, to the officer, for the form.

Kavitha Selvam, a housewife, from Tamil Nadu, said, she is in the city since five years and has learnt to speak and read Kannada a bit by interacting with the people.

“However, these days, people have no patience to teach others. People either try to speak in our language, or bluntly refuse to interact. So, this course will be of immense help to learn Kannada, in a formal way,” she said.

Saloni Misra, an employee of a stock broking firm, said, “I came here as my husband, a Central government employee, was transferred to the city. In office and for official correspondence, I largely depend on either English or Hindi. But, when I interact with our investors, it is better to communicate in their language. Even though I have picked up Kannada, I lack the confidence. I check and cross-check the meaning of the words I use every time. There is no flow of thought in Kannada. I hope the Kannada course will give me confidence,” she said.