Latest news with #non-Kannada
News18
24-05-2025
- General
- News18
‘18 Yrs In Bengaluru But...': Man's Friend Called Kannadigas Biased. Netizens Give ‘Cut Tie' Option
The ongoing Kannada language row in Karnataka has ignited a major debate, particularly in Bengaluru, a city known for its multicultural population. The internet is divided, with some advocating for non-Kannada speakers to learn the language as a gesture of respect towards local culture. Others, however, argue that such expectations are impractical in a multilingual country like India. The debate has quickly extended beyond state borders, sparking strong opinions on language, identity and inclusivity. With no major resolution to the issue, a Bengaluru resident has revealed how his friend has strongly refused to learn Kannada, even after being in the city for about 18 years. Taking to X, Prajwal Bhat stated that the female friend has particularly called out Kannadigas to be 'biased," prompting Bhat to limit interactions with her.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamannaah's brand ambassadorship sparks protest
Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited The appointment of Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador of(KSDL), with a hefty Rs 6.2 crore paid for a two-year promotional contract, has sparked controversy. Several pro-Kannada activists have expressed strong objections and even staged a protest outside KSDL on and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said that Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, a symbol of Karnataka's pride and cultural identity, must be guided by market dynamics and competitive strategy when it comes to business decisions. Responding to criticism over the appointment of actress Tamannaah as brand ambassador, the minister clarified that the decision was taken based on expert recommendations and should not be viewed to media persons on Friday, Patil defended the move amidst backlash that a non-Kannada ambassador undermines the brand's local ethos. 'As someone from the Vachana tradition, I hold deep respect for Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka. I also admire local artists. But in matters of business, competitiveness must take precedence,' he said. Since taking charge of the department, Patil noted, KSDL's production has grown by 40% without any major investment in company has seen a 15% growth in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, outpacing competitors like Godrej (11%), Hindustan Unilever (9%), ITC (8%), and Wipro (7%). 'Our goal is to increase KSDL's turnover to Rs 5,000 crore in the next three years. If that happens, we may even require a Hollywood celebrity as our brand ambassador. I hope we reach that level,' he finalising Tamannaah, the company approached top Kannada-speaking actresses such as Deepika Padukone and Rashmika Mandanna. Others considered included Sreeleela, Pooja Hegde, and Kiara Advani. However, many were either already committed to other beauty and skincare brands or unavailable for the next two years. Given Tamannaah's pan-India appeal and her massive social media following of 28 million, she was selected to lead KSDL's branding efforts. Patil also revealed that KSDL recently launched 21 new products and is now preparing to enter the fragrance segment.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Yaduveer flays choice of Tamannaah Bhatia as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal
The controversy surrounding the appointment of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador of Mysore Sandal soap has further escalated with MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who is also the scion of the erstwhile royal family, expressing his indignation over it. The decision of the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) to appoint Ms. Bhatia as the brand ambassador triggered protests, with activists questioning the need for a non-Kannadiga actress to promote the product, which is a household name in Karnataka. Mr. Yaduveer said the decision of the government defied logic and was not only irresponsible but also insensitive. Mr. Yaduveer, who described KSDL as a legacy institution, said it was established in 1916 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and is a source pride for Karnataka and its people. 'Mysore Sandal Soap is not just a product; it is a part of our cultural identity and household heritage, especially for Kannadigas, who have supported and used these products for decades,' said Mr. Yaduveer in a post on X. To now appoint a non-Kannada actress as the face of this historic brand and to reportedly pay her over ₹6 crore is nothing short of unacceptable, he said, pointing out that if appointing a brand ambassador was indeed a necessity, talented Kannada artists who reflect the spirit and pride of Karnataka could have been chosen, Mr. Yaduveer added. 'After failing to deliver on its guarantee schemes and withholding thousands of crores from the people, the Congress government must now refrain from appointing a non-Kannada actress as the brand ambassador. I strongly urge the State government to immediately cancel this appointment and save ₹6.2 crore of public money,' Mr. Yaduveer said.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
‘If this language nonsense…', says founder on shifting firm from Bengaluru to Pune
An entrepreneur announced his plans to shut his Bengaluru office and relocate operations to Pune following the language row that reared up again in Karnataka recently. The post and the intent comes following a viral video that showed a State Bank of India (SBI) official refusing to speak to a customer in Kannada. Kaushik Mukherjee, in a post on social media platform X, said the move stemmed directly from his team's concerns about regional language dispute. 'This idea was mooted by the staff themselves,' he wrote. 'I agreed to their POV (point of view).'advertisementHe said his team raised concerns about language-related hostility following the video from an SBI branch in Anekal taluk, Bengaluru. 'If this language nonsense is to continue, I do not want my non-Kannada speaking staff to be the next 'victim',' Mukherjee said in his tweet. His statement reflects growing anxiety among professionals working in Karnataka, particularly those not fluent in the local language. The widely circulated video from SBI's Suryanagar branch in Bengaluru's Chandapura area shows a manager repeatedly refusing to speak Kannada with a customer. She can be heard arguing, 'Do I have to speak in Kannada? Is it mandatory? Where is it written? Show me the rules.'advertisementAfter the video caused public outrage, the SBI in a statement announced the official had been transferred. The incident also drew immediate political attention. BJP MP Tejaswi Surya called the manager's conduct 'unacceptable' and insisted that fluency in Kannada be mandatory for customer-facing roles in the state. 'Banks working in Karnataka should serve customers in Kannada. Period,' he said, adding that he had raised the issue with central Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in, condemning the bank manager's actions and supporting the State Bank of India's decision to transfer her. 'The matter may now be treated as closed,' he said in a statement on the transfer, Kannada organisations staged protests outside the bank branch, demanding stronger action against the manager. A new video of the same staffer surfaced online on Thursday, this time showing her apologising in Kannada. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why Tamannaah Bhatia not Kannada actresses Rashmika or Anushka Shetty for Mysore Sandal Soap? Karnataka minister justifies strategy amid backlash
The Karnataka government's announcement to appoint actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap has led to widespread backlash across social media. The two-year deal, valued at Rs 6.20 crore, was confirmed through an official government notification issued on May 22. The news quickly gained attention, with critics questioning why a non-Kannada actor was selected to represent a brand considered a cultural emblem of Karnataka. Public Questions Choice of Non-Kannada Celebrity Social media users voiced disappointment over the selection, emphasizing that several prominent Kannada actresses could have been considered for the role. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) reflected the public sentiment. One user asked why the state did not consider local actresses like Rukmini Vasanth or Pranitha Subhash. Another wrote, 'We have many Kannada actresses. The opportunity to represent this homegrown brand should have been given to them.' A common point raised was the relevance of promoting a state-owned, heritage product using a figure with no direct connection to the local culture or language. One user stated, 'The iconic Karnataka brand should have opted for a Karnataka person.' Others argued that Mysore Sandal Soap, with its historic identity, did not need a celebrity endorsement at all. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Minister MB Patil Defends the Strategy Responding to the criticism, Karnataka's Minister for Commerce, Industries, and Infrastructure MB Patil defended the move, stating that the decision was made after comprehensive consultation with marketing experts. He explained that while KSDL respects the Kannada film industry , the aim is to expand the brand's reach beyond Karnataka. In a social media post, Patil wrote, 'Mysore Sandal has very strong brand recall within Karnataka, which will be further strengthened. However, the intent is also to aggressively penetrate markets beyond Karnataka.' He emphasized that the selection was a strategic decision based on factors such as availability, social media presence, alignment with the brand, and marketing potential. Patil further noted, 'Our vision is for KSDL to achieve an annual revenue of Rs 5,000 crore by 2028.' Pro-Kannada Groups and Industry Voices React Pro-Kannada organizations and several voices from the Kannada film industry strongly opposed the decision. Director Kavita Lankesh questioned the preference for what she described as the 'milky beauty' standard, calling it outdated and unfair to the diverse talents within the state. 'Why are we paying Rs 6 crore of taxpayer money to someone like Tamannaah? We have nothing against her, but aren't there actors in Kannada cinema who fit the bill?' she asked. Groups like Yuva Karnataka Vedike and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike threatened to organize protests, labeling the decision as an "insult" to local talent. Roopesh Rajanna from Yuva Karnataka Vedike announced plans to demonstrate in front of the Mysore Sandal Soap factory. Cultural Significance of Mysore Sandal Soap Mysore Sandal Soap holds historical significance in Karnataka. First produced in 1916 under the rule of King Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV, it has long been a symbol of the state's heritage. The soap is manufactured by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), a government-owned enterprise. Despite the brand's deep-rooted legacy in the state, officials from KSDL highlighted the importance of expanding market reach. They also mentioned that some prominent Kannada actresses, including Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, and Pooja Hegde, could not be approached due to existing brand associations.
