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

AP: Central team inspects cyclone-hit crop fields in Kakinada Dist

01 Nov 2026 | 6:25 PM

Kakinada, Nov 1 (UNI) A four-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) on Sunday inspected paddy fields damaged by Cyclone Arnab in Kakinada district and interacted with farmers to assess the crop losses and their demands for compensation and relief.

see more..

Krishnaiah urges PM Modi to adopt standardised caste codes for Census 2027

01 Nov 2026 | 6:11 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce standardised caste codes and officially notified caste lists for the caste-based enumeration during Census 2027 to ensure accurate and reliable data.

see more..

Deep depression over Bay intensifies into Cyclonic Storm "Murasu", to concentrate further, cross AP coast by Nov 3

01 Nov 2026 | 5:50 PM

(RPTING CORRECTING DATE IN THE HEADLINE)
Chennai, Nov 1 (UNI) The Deep Depression over the Bay has intensified into Cyclonic Storm Murasu on Sunday and it would further intensify as Severe Cyclonic Storm tomorrow and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight and early morning of November 3 before weakening as Cyclonic Storm and further as Depression the same day.

see more..

Telangana CM Revanth urges departments, industries to use treated water for non-drinking purposes

01 Nov 2026 | 5:45 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has appealed to government departments, industries, construction agencies and commercial establishments to make extensive use of treated wastewater for landscaping, construction and industrial purposes to conserve potable drinking water amid the El Niño threat.

see more..

Krishnaiah urges CM to allocate 500 acres in Miyapur for housing, student hostels

01 Nov 2026 | 5:36 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Rajya Sabha MP and National BC Welfare Association president R. Krishnaiah has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy not to auction 500 acres of government land in Miyapur and instead utilise it for housing the homeless poor and constructing permanent buildings for student hostels and residential schools.

see more..