Latest news with #Kannada-speaking
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka buys land in Goa to build Kannada Bhavan after decades-long demand
Belagavi: In a significant step toward fulfilling a long-standing demand, the Karnataka govt has purchased two acres in Goa for the construction of a Kannada Bhavan. The initiative aims to serve the linguistic and cultural needs of the Kannada-speaking community residing in the neighbouring state. The project is being funded by the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority (KBADA). It was announced in the 2022–23 State Budget, following persistent appeals from Kannada organisations in Goa. To chart out the next phase of the project, KBADA chairman Somanna Bevinamarad held a meeting in Goa on Wednesday. KBADA member Prakash Mattihalli, Siddanna Meti (Kannada Sahitya Parishad – Goa Border Unit), and other committee members, including Hanumant Reddy, Rajesh Shetty, and Shivanand Bingi, were present at the meeting, according to the release. During the meeting, Bevinamarad confirmed that 11,571.2 sqft of land (survey No. 113/9) at Ambarame Matta in Cortalim Village, Vasco-Mormugao taluk, was acquired for the project. "Kannadigas in Goa have been requesting a Kannada Bhavan for over four decades. Nearly six lakh Kannadigas reside in Goa. Responding to their long-pending appeal, the govt procured private land, and construction will begin soon," Bevinamarad said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The proposed Kannada Bhavan will be a multi-purpose facility, including parking in the basement, a commercial complex (for rental income to support maintenance) on the ground floor, a dining hall and library on the first floor, a cultural hall with a seating capacity of 1,000 people on the second floor, and 10–15 VIP guest rooms for Kannadigas visiting the bhavan on the third floor. The state govt initially sought land from the Goa govt, making several formal requests. However, with no positive response, Karnataka opted to purchase private land to proceed with the construction independently. The initiative was taken in response to continuous lobbying by the Akhila Goa Kannada Maha Sangha, among other Kannada organisations, for a dedicated cultural and community space in Goa.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Don't impose Kannada in Karnataka': Congress leader Nalapad's remark sparks fury among Kannadigas
A recent comment by Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad, son of senior MLA NA Haris and the current president of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress, has sparked outrage among sections of Kannadigas online. Nalapad was speaking on a video podcast hosted by RJ Rapid Rashmi,(YouTube/Rapid Rashmi) Nalapad, speaking on a video podcast hosted by RJ Rapid Rashmi, remarked that Kannada should not be "imposed" on non-Kannadigas in Bengaluru, a statement that has since gone viral and invited strong criticism. During the podcast, Nalapad was responding to a question about "five ways to make Bengaluru youth-friendly" when he shared an anecdote from a recent salon visit. He recounted being asked by a staff member whether, as a politician, he also supported 'hitting people in the name of Kannada.' To this, Nalapad said that the language should not be used as a "weapon" or as a tool of imposition. 'Love your language,' he urged, adding that pride in Kannada should not be allowed to 'demolish Bengaluru.' (Also Read: '3 creepy men, 3 traumatised girls': Bengaluru women film chilling stalking incident near JP Nagar) Watch the video here: He also pushed back against a common narrative among some migrants, stating, 'North Indians saying they built Bengaluru is also wrong.' While trying to strike a balance, his emphasis on not imposing Kannada in the state capital struck a nerve with many Kannada-speaking residents. The Indian Express reported the growing backlash from social media users, who accused Nalapad of undermining the status of Kannada in its own state. One user wrote, 'Bengaluru is a Kannada city. It is the responsibility of outsiders to learn Kannada.' Another comment read, 'If you're not Kannadiga by roots or by respect, you're just a guest.' Critics also questioned Nalapad's political legitimacy in Karnataka, claiming he was born into power but lacked cultural alignment with the state. 'Uses Karnataka for career, but rejects Kannada for convenience,' one user posted. However, a section of users praised his remarks, calling them inclusive and considerate. 'It is pleasant to hear the youth leader talk about the importance of Kannada, which must not be imposed on our guests,' read one post. (Also Read: 2 killed in 5 days after elephant attacks in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru, protests erupt: Report)
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kannada must be fully implemented in dist admn
Udupi: Emphasising the need for complete and effective implementation of Kannada in official administration, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Dr. Purushothama Bilimale has urged officials to show greater sensitivity in upholding the legacy of the language. Speaking at a review meeting on Kannada implementation at the Udupi Deputy Commissioner's office, Dr. Bilimale noted that Kannada has a heritage spanning over 2,000 years. He warned that officials who fail to implement Kannada in administration will be held directly accountable. He stressed that tenders, notifications, and work orders related to public infrastructure projects must be issued in Kannada. This, he said, would not only empower local Kannada-speaking contractors but also generate employment for local youth. Dr. Bilimale further urged banks to appoint Kannada-speaking personnel at branches to ensure that locals can conduct routine banking with ease. He directed that a meeting of major banks in the district be convened to discuss this. Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T.K. assured that Kannada is being appropriately used in the district administration and that the language's implementation will be prioritised in all upcoming KDP (Karnataka Development Programme) meetings. KDA Secretary Dr. Santosh Hanagal, member Yaqub Khader Gulwadi, Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Boyle, Additional DC Abeed Gadial, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KDA for Kannada information boards at tourist places, monuments
Chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA), Purushottama Bilimale, on Tuesday, said that they are asking district administrations in the State to set up display boards with basic information in Kannada at tourist places and monuments. Addressing the press in Udupi, Mr. Bilimale said that there were many tourist attractions in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts that lacked Kannada information boards highlighting the significance of those places. Many such places had boards only in English, he added. 'Let there be boards in Kannada, English and Hindi,' he said. The KDA addressed the matter in a meeting with Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi on December 17, 2024. The Union Minister was apprised of the need to display boards in regional languages, Mr. Bilimale said. Mr. Bilimale said that during his meeting with the district administration in Udupi on Tuesday, he drew the attention of both the tourism department and the Deputy Commissioner to the display of Kannada boards. The Deputy Commissioner was asked to hold meetings with pro-Kannada organisations at least once in two or three months, he said. Kannada Bhavan in Udupi Mr. Bilimale said that Udupi city is likely to get a Kannada Bhavan. It required 11 cents of land to build the bhavan. The proposal to construct the building has been pending for three years. Once the Udupi Urban Development Authority gives its approval, the proposal is likely to be a reality. Constructing the building might cost ₹5 crore, he said. He said that KDA has apprised the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, of the need to post Kannada-speaking staff in bank branches throughout the State. The KDA chairman said that government schools in the State have been instructed to register their land in their names with the RTCs to prevent encroachments. In Udupi district, eight such schools will have to get their RTCs.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Meta apologises, fixes Kannada translation glitch after Siddaramaiah raises concern
BENGALURU: A day after the Chief Minister's Office raised concern over auto translation from Kannada to English, Meta (Previously Facebook) acknowledged the glitch, apologised, and claimed to have fixed the issue. The CM had stated that the faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms is distorting facts and misleading users. Siddaramaiah in his 'X' handle stated that on July 15, he paid his respects to the mortal remains of the late B Saroja Devi, a moment of deep personal and public sorrow. A post about this was shared in Kannada from the official Facebook page of Chief Minister of Karnataka. 'Unfortunately, some people saw a wrong English translation of that post by default on their Facebook feed. The post was written only in Kannada. No English version was posted, and no auto-translation was added or requested from our side,' he stated. Siddaramaiah pointed out that Facebook's translation feature shows up on user feeds based on their settings, and content creators have no way to disable or control the auto-translation feature on viewers feed. 'In many cases, Facebook shows auto-translated versions of posts by default in user feeds. The original Kannada post remains unchanged and can be viewed by selecting 'See original' option'' he added. The CM also added that Meta/Facebook has often previously faced similar issues globally for such auto-translation errors, including in Myanmar (2018), Palestine (2017), and most recently in Malaysia (2024) where poor translations led to serious miscommunication and public backlash. The CM said that Facebook has been in operation for nearly two decades and has a vast user base in India, including a large number of Kannada-speaking users. 'Despite this, it is unfortunate that a sound and reliable translation system has not been put in place. We hope this concern is taken seriously.'' he said. The CM also urged people not to spread confusion or misinformation based on an error that did not originate from us. 'It is time Meta puts in place better and more responsible translation systems,' he added.
