Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Nov 1: Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated by the Udupi district administration at Mahatma Gandhi stadium Ajjarkad.
Laxmi Hebbalkar, minister for women and child welfare government of Karnataka and in-charge minister of Udupi district hoisted the flag and kick-started the Rajyotsava celebrations.
In her message to the gathering, Laxmi Hebbalkar said, "On this remarkable occasion of the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava, let us come together in celebration of Karnataka’s vibrant heritage, language, and culture. Kannada Rajyotsava is not just a festival; it’s a tribute to the resilient spirit and identity of our land. As we gather here, I extend my heartfelt wishes to each one of you. Today, we honor not just our past, but the values that continue to guide us".
She further addressed, "We recall with pride the great contributions of visionaries like Alur Venkata Rao, whose unyielding efforts towards unification in 1905 laid the foundation for our Karnataka. Later, in 1973, Karnataka earned its name, a symbol of unity and strength. Today, we pay homage to this journey by unveiling a replica of the Halmidi inscription—our oldest Kannada inscription, dating back to 450 AD—reminding us of our rich history and enduring cultural legacy".
"Our language, Kannada, is more than just a medium of expression; it’s the soul of our state. This is why, as a government, we are committed to preserving and promoting Kannada in governance and administrative processes. By mandating Kannada on all commercial signboards, we ensure that our language finds its rightful place in public spaces", She added.
Speaking of the current government, she said, "I would also like to share with you the transformational impact of our government’s five guarantee schemes. These initiatives provide significant economic support to Karnataka’s families, with around Rs 4,000–5,000 reaching each household monthly. One such initiative, the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, is a source of pride. Over the past year, it has benefited more than 1.23 crore families, delivering Rs 2,000 monthly to women heads of households and supporting Karnataka’s economic stability".
Speaking on further government plans she said, "We have also made strides in tourism and education. With the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024-29, our state will soon stand out on the global map, attracting tourists with a Rs 1,349 crore investment. And through initiatives like "Odu Karnataka," we aim to empower our young minds, ensuring quality education for 4th and 5th-grade students in government schools, with resources dedicated to their learning materials and teacher training"
As many as 50 achievers and seven organisations were conferred with Udupi district level Kannada Rajyotsava awards for the year 2024.
A grand procession was also from Board high school to Ajjarkad ground.Various cultural programmes were presented on the occasion.
Dr Vidyakumari, district commissioner; Dr Arun K, police superintendent; Prateek Bayal, Zilla Panchayat CEO; Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Udupi; B Y Raghavendra, Member of Parliament; Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Member of Parliament; Sunil Kumar, MLA; Gururaja Shetty Gantihole, MLA; Kiran Kumar Kodgi, MLA; Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA; S L Bojegowda, MLC; Manjunath Bhandari, MLC; Dhananjay Sarji, MLC; Kishore Kumar Puttur, MLC; Prabhakar Poojary, president, Udupi city municipal, G Sathyavathi IAS, Government secretary, department of personnel and administrative reforms, Bengaluru, and Udupi district in-charge secretary were present in programme.