States » SouthPosted at: Nov 1 2026 3:27PM


DK Shivakumar bats for official Kannada flag

Bengaluru, Nov 1 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday called for official recognition of the existing red-and-yellow Kannada flag as the state's flag, saying a discussion and resolution on the issue would be taken up at the Belagavi convention.
In his message marking the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava, Shivakumar said the government was considering granting official recognition to the flag, which symbolises the sentiments and identity of Kannadigas.
He said the flag represented Kannada's knowledge tradition, culture, interfaith equality and peace. A decision would be taken after discussion at the Belagavi convention within India's federal framework, he added.
Emphasising the importance of the mother tongue, Shivakumar described Kannada as the identity, livelihood and lifebreath of Kannadigas.
Quoting poet Da Ra Bendre, he recalled his observation that the world's upliftment would begin from Karnataka, adding that Kannada was the compass of Karnataka and Karnataka the future of India. He also quoted Kuvempu's words, "Even if you raise a little finger for Kannada, it becomes Mount Govardhana," and recalled his message of Vishwa Manava (universal humanism).
Stressing that learning Kannada alone was not enough, Shivakumar urged parents and teachers to ensure that children used the language daily.
"Kannada shouldn't just be the official language; it should be the language of the heart. Language is life. A life without language becomes a 'silent film'," he said.
He said Kannada had a history spanning more than 2,000 years, had attained classical language status and enjoyed the distinction of producing eight Jnanpith award winners.
Describing Karnataka as the birthplace of literary and spiritual figures such as Pampa, Ranna, Janna, Kumaravyasa, Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa, Sarvajna and Basavanna, he also recalled the contributions of DV Gundappa, Kuvempu, DR Bendre, Shivaram Karanth, VK Gokak, UR Ananthamurthy, Tejaswi, Siddalingaiah, Nisar Ahmed and Chandrashekhara Kambara.
Calling children the torchbearers of Kannada, he urged them to protect its heritage and pass it on to future generations. He said thousands of Kannadigas living abroad were spreading the language globally, while contributing to art, sports, science, technology, space research and IT-BT.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the achievements of Karnataka's sportspersons, noting that eight athletes from the state had won medals at this year's Asian Games.
He said gold medal winners were given Rs 1 crore, silver medal winners Rs 75 lakh and bronze medal winners Rs 50 lakh. Twenty participants received incentive grants of Rs 5 lakh each, while athletes preparing for the Olympics were being provided Rs 10 lakh each.
The government had introduced 2 per cent reservation for sportspersons in government jobs and 3 per cent in the Forest and Police departments, besides formulating the 'Guru Olympics' scheme, he said.
Recalling Karnataka's renaming in 1973, Shivakumar said it fulfilled the long-cherished aspirations of Kannadigas. He urged people to protect Kannada, the state's land, water and culture, and take the language's prestige to global heights.
UNI BDN
Tags: #DK Shivakumar bats for official Kannada flag
More News

Robust infrastructure, better road connectivity key to industrial growth: T’gana CS

01 Nov 2026 | 4:57 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Sunday stressed that robust infrastructure and improved road connectivity were crucial for promoting industrial development, attracting investments and expanding economic activities in the State.

see more..

Cyclonic Storm "Murasu" forms over Bay, Chennai, North TN dists to get very heavy spell for 2 days

01 Nov 2026 | 4:42 PM

Chennai, Nov 1 (UNI) As the second successive Cyclonic Storm named "Murasu' has formed over the Bay, the Met office has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in Chennai and its neighbouring Northern districts for two days and has issued an Orange alert for tomorrow.

see more..

Kavitha urges CM Revanth Reddy to convene special Assembly session on OBC census, Adivasi religion

01 Nov 2026 | 4:06 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) President Kalvakuntla Kavitha has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to convene an immediate special session of both Houses of the State Legislature to discuss the inclusion of an OBC caste census and separate recording of Adivasi religion in the upcoming national census.

see more..

Kumaraswamy's residence received mobile phone in sting operation: Police

01 Nov 2026 | 3:59 PM

Bengaluru, Nov 1 (UNI) Karnataka Police on Sunday said an accused arrested in connection with a sting operation had told investigators that a mobile phone purchased from a shop in Delhi's Karol Bagh was handed over to Prajwal Prasad at the New Delhi residence of union Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

see more..

Ambedkar ensured voting rights for all sections, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

01 Nov 2026 | 3:50 PM

New Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday said Dr B R Ambedkar had ensured voting rights for Dalits, Adivasis, women and youth, strengthening the foundations of Indian democracy.

see more..