City dons Arshina and Kunkuma to celebrate Rajyotsava

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: Arshina and Kumkuma the colours on the Karnataka flag were fluttering at most places in the city on Tuesday on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava. People dressed in red and yellow were seen on the streets, while tents, autos, cars, tempos and houses had the state flag.

While speaking to Kanadigas and non-Kannadigas from different walks of life, one gets the impression that Karnataka is an all welcoming, sober, and large-hearted state which treats everyone as their own. Solomon Sadhu (in the left), a biking enthusiast and manager in a multinational said, “I am definitely proud to be a Kannadiga, because it is in my blood and I am also proud because of my language. The only thing I request all who come to Karnataka to make a living to which they are most welcome, to try and learn some Kannada to facilitate their easy functioning as Kannadigas also learn their languages to put them at ease.”

Sudhmani, a pani puri vendor, said with a smile, “We are Kannadigas, we have not visited any other part of India and so for us Karnataka is our mother and father.” Kumar SK, owner of a Nandini Milk Booth, said, “As Bengaluru has seen an increase in the influx of people from all over the country, and who come to buy milk from my shop, I make it a point to service them with courtesy and a smile so that they take back an image of Karnataka as a tolerant and friendly state when they go home.”

Veda Eden (in the middle), a student of a popular law college in Bengaluru, who has just moved in from her home state of Rajasthan, said, “In the past one year my Kannadiga friends have helped me to learn and speak in Kannada as they feel I should not get into trouble because I do not know the language. Due to this, my daily travel and other local activities are smooth flowing and I can proudly say that I know Kannada and I'm happy to have taken admission in a state like Karnataka. My friends are very protective of me and love me although I belong to a different culture and state. I don’t miss being out of my state.”

Shambu Kumar, a security guard from Darjeeling , who has been in Bengaluru for eight years with his family said, “I don’t think of going home nor do I miss my state so much as I have become like a half Kannadiga. I like the culture and the simplicity of the people here and as I work as a security guard, my interaction with the vendors and other people who come into my flat complex has made me learn Kannada. My fiveyear-old daughter Indu, speaks Kannada fluently.”

Various apartments in Bangalore city organised Karnataka Rajyotsava programs where people sang the ‘Naada Geethe’, the state anthem written by poet Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, with fervour and pride. Residents of an apartment in Judicial Layout, Kanakapura Road had an all-woman choir dressed in red and yellow singing the anthem and spreading the message of the greatness of the Karnataka state.

One of the women of the choir, who is a teacher, said, “In our flat complex we have people from all over India and we treat them with respect, welcoming and combining their cultures with ours to make a harmonious India.”

Enthusiastic Gully cricketers were waving the Karnataka Flag and also cutting cakes on the occasion. One of the boys, Purvik, a shy lad, said, “Most of our Kannada cricket stars have made the country proud and we are proud of them.

My favourite is Anil Kumble, I try to follow his bowling style. I want to play for my state in the near future and the country someday.” His friend Arjun was more vocal and said “Jai Karnataka” and broke into a dance and belted out a few Kannada songs, including ‘Hutti dare kananda naddi nalli hootabeku’.