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Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
MES protest over Kannada implementation fizzles out
Belagavi: Aprotest organised by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday, opposing the implementation of Kannada in government affairs, witnessed a poor turnout, with only a handful of activists and office-bearers gathering at the deputy commissioner's office earlier claims of a large-scale demonstration and widespread mobilisation in Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, the protest failed to draw the expected crowds. MES had planned a rally from Sambhaji Circle to the deputy commissioner's office, but the city police denied permission for the few who did assemble raised slogans demanding the use of Marathi in government documents and signage, in accordance with the provisions of the Linguistic Minorities Act. They also displayed placards demanding the merger of Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka with Maharashtra, shouting slogans such as 'We will live in Maharashtra or in jail', while also referring to the government as 'nalayak' (incompetent).The MES leaders urged that government documents and signboards in areas with more than 15% Marathi-speaking population, including Belagavi and Khanapur taluks, should be made available in Marathi.'Reinstate Marathi signboards'MES Working President and former MLA Manohar Kinekar alleged that following the visit of Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottam Bilimale to the Belagavi City Corporation, all signboards in Marathi had been removed. He demanded their reinstatement and called for the use of Marathi on official vehicles of the mayor and deputy mayor, as well as on all government communication. He warned that MES would intensify its protest if these demands were not met within a City Corporation corporator Ravi Salunke said the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute is still pending in the Supreme Court, and that the implementation of Kannada in disputed regions should be halted until the matter is resolved.A memorandum listing MES's demands was submitted to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad leaders Malojirao Ashtekar, former MLA Digambar Patil, R M Chougule, Vikas Kalghatgi, Ranjit Chavan Patil, Amar Yellurkar, Prakash Margale, Shubham Shelke, Ramakant Konduskar and others were present.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No Kannada, no trade licence: Businesses told to upload geotagged photos of signboards
Bengaluru: Commercial and industrial establishments across Karnataka will now have to upload geotagged photographs of their signboards to renew trade licences, as district administrations begin enforcing The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act, 2024. The amended law mandates Kannada must occupy 60% of the space on all business, industrial, and commercial signages — specifically on the upper half of the board. English or other languages can occupy the rest of the space. To ensure compliance, deputy commissioners in many districts have issued circulars instructing trade licence applicants to submit photographic proof of their Kannada signage. The move follows review meetings conducted by Kannada Development Authority (KDA) in collaboration with local administrations. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We have instructed district administrations to mandate commercial and industrial establishments submit geotagged photographs of their signages as proof to get confirmation about the compliance of 60% Kannada signage," said KDA chairperson Purushottama Bilimale. "The DCs and assistant commissioners (ACs) of sub-divisions are issuing orders to ensure the law is followed." He said KDA had already covered 19 districts, holding meetings with respective deputy commissioners and district officials, and that similar reviews will be conducted in the remaining districts soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo In parallel, some deputy commissioners have written to the state govt seeking approval to link the Kannada signage requirement to industrial benefits under the new Karnataka Industrial Policy 2025–30. The proposal would make photographic evidence of Kannada signage a precondition to access state incentives and concessions. KDA's intensified push comes after concerns that many businesses were ignoring signage rules, despite the amendment being notified earlier this year. The submission of geotagged photos is intended to eliminate ambiguity and offer clear, location-tagged evidence of compliance. Bilimale said the goal is not punitive but to promote uniform respect for Kannada across commercial spaces in the state.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
KDA chronicles harmony: 100 books to showcase state's shared cultural legacy
Bengaluru: In a major push to promote communal amity and shared heritage, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) is set to publish 100 books that delve into Karnataka's long-standing traditions of social harmony. These books, targeted especially at youth, will document the historical and cultural legacy of harmony centres spread across various districts. The initiative, described as a cultural counterpoint to rising intolerance, is led by a team of scholars and writers handpicked by the authority. The first batch of 34 books is only awaiting a back-cover blurb by acclaimed writer and intellectual Devanur Mahadeva. "We initially planned to release all 100 books at one go, but now we are publishing 34 books, and the remaining will be published later," said Purushottam Bilimale, KDA chairman . You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Each book, comprising 72 pages, is written in simple Kannada to suit high school and college students. "We aim to equip the next generation with a nuanced understanding of Karnataka's composite culture and human values that underpin it," Bilimale said. The books will shine a light on places known for interfaith coexistence, shared places of worship, folk art forms that blend Hindu and Muslim traditions, and personalities who championed humanity and peace. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'If given a choice, we all wanted to die on the pulau', former islander on joys of a simple life CNA Read More Undo The initiative will also explore the impact of diverse religious and cultural migrations into Karnataka over centuries. "Social harmony has been disrupted and hatred has emerged among different communities nationwide, including in Karnataka," Bilimale said. "Historically, Karnataka embraced social harmony, with multiple cultures followed by communities such as Hindu and Muslim." Tracing Karnataka's pluralistic heritage, Bilimale noted that the arrival of Islam introduced new architectural idioms while Christianity added modernity to Kannada. "Many communities have migrated and settled in the Kannada region, embracing diverse influences, leading to the unique, humane, and generous growth of the Kannada land," he added. KDA is also planning to roll out essay writing competitions at taluk and district levels to encourage students to engage with the books. Through these contests, the authority hopes to spark interest in Karnataka's layered cultural past and its relevance to the present. The editorial project has been coordinated by KDA member Ravikumar Neeha, with renowned writer Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi serving as the editor. An eight-member editorial team has worked on the texts, while a 10-member committee, prioritising new writers, was formed to execute the initiative. The books will also feature spiritual and cultural contributions from Sufi saints, Tulu Nadu deities, Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Swami, and Male Mahadeshwara. KDA said these stories and traditions are not only part of Karnataka's folk legacy but also powerful reminders of coexistence and respect across faiths.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
7k govt primary schools may lose land due to poor records; dept launches drive
Hubballi: While 7,000 govt primary schools in state have fewer than 10 students and face the threat of closure, as many as 17,356 were at risk of losing land in Jan. The total number of govt primary schools in the state is 43,564. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, the department of school education (DSE) has launched a special three-month drive to officially register land in the names of govt schools. Prof Purushottam Bilimale, chairman of Kannada Development Authority, Bengaluru, told TOI he was informed about this issue during his visits to Bidar and Yadgir six months ago. "We were surprised to learn about an incident in Devanahalli, where a govt primary school was demolished overnight. We started addressing this issue in district review meetings and instructing all deputy commissioners. In turn, DCs started insisting DDPIs prioritise it. Now it is a good move that DSE has launched a special drive," he welcomed. KV Trilok Chandra, commissioner of DSE, stated that the number of such primary schools with poor land records was over 20,000 last year. "It stood at 17,356 six months ago. As our officials are working in this regard, it has now reduced to about 13,000. We have launched a special drive to get the land records of the remaining 7,000 schools registered in the next three months," he stated. He further said, "Many schools were built on donated plots, not registered under their names. There is a possibility of facing suits in courts. To address this, we have instructed DDPIs and BEOs to ensure all govt schools in their jurisdiction are equipped with land records. If there are any encroachments, we have insisted they coordinate with the district administration, revenue department, and other necessary departments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Once the land records are registered, they will be uploaded on the department's SATS software." Sources in DSE said that the drive was launched following the instruction of V Rashmi Mahesh, principal secretary to the govt, department of school education and literacy. Chandrashekhar Nuggali, president of the Karnataka State Primary School Teachers Association, Bengaluru, noted that primary schools are threatened by land mafia, especially in urban and semi-urban areas, where land prices have skyrocketed. "Misusing the situation, successors of land donors started reclaiming their land rights, and cases are piling up in courts. Now the department's move is expected to save schools and students at large," he commented.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kannada Kasturi translation software will be launched soon, says Bilimale
Karwar: Purushottama Bilimale, chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), announced that the Kannada Kasturi software, which translates from English to Kannada with precision, will soon be made available for public use. Speaking to the media at the district commissioner's office here on Thursday, he said there are many errors when translating from English to Kannada using Google, and to address this, the Kannada Kasturi software was developed. It will provide highly accurate translations and will initially be available to Vidhana Soudha officials before being released to the public. Currently, there are only 20 font designs in Kannada, but 200 new designs are being prepared, which will be completed by Nov, he added. The KDA has prepared 500 famous Kannada slogans, and by Nov 1, 92 of these will be installed at key locations in Vidhana Soudha. All 500 slogans will be sent to all districts with instructions to display them in all govt offices. He also mentioned that there are about 230 minor languages in the state, and a committee will be formed to empower them. He added that a request was submitted to the Union minister of culture and senior officials of the department of archaeology to install plaques in Kannada at more than 5,000 historical sites in the state, highlighting their significance. There are 3,000 schools in the state, which are a century old, and reports on the progress of these schools and their alumni are being prepared. Additionally, 17,000 schools do not have accounts, and the education department should create accounts for these schools, he noted. In this year's SSLC examination, more than 200,000 students failed in Kannada, and a separate committee will be formed to investigate the reasons for the failures, with a report to be submitted to the govt within three months. Due to Karwar district's proximity to the Goa border, steps will be taken to organise a border festival at the end of this year, he said. It was also mentioned that the All India Kannada Literary Conference was held in this region 60 years ago, and there will be a push for the next conference to be held here, with requests made to the chief minister, the minister of Kannada and culture, and the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Dr Santosh Hanagallu, secretary, Yakub Khader Gulwadi, member of KDA and BN Vasare, district president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, were present.
