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Why blame others?  The fault is with us!

Why blame any one for the state of Kannada language in Bangalore? We have to blame ourselves. I am a Reddy from Bangalore, Karnataka. All my relatives and my own ancestral village are located stones throw away from the city. We take pride in calling ourselves Kannadigas in spite of speaking Telugu (mixed with Kannada) at home. I always make it a point to speak in Kannada when I go out to shopping whether be it MG Road, Commercial Street any damn hotel. The other person refuses or does not respond to me in Kannada, But I insist he/she speak to me in Kannada-if he does not then tell him to send some one who speaks Kannada or he himself learn Kannada before open a business shop or I start a demonstration in front of his shop. Then he speaks to me in very good Kannada!!

I don't see why we should be nice to people who come from outside our state by speaking to them in their language than in our Kannada language. I suggest don't speak even in English. Speak only in Kannada when you go out. "Atiti satkara" is fine for a visitor. But if they have come with tents and bags, you shouldn't even dream of "atiti satkara". When I had visited my hometown Bangalore two years ago, I went for shopping to a place called Shopper's Stop. I saw a Kannada family who were speaking in Kannada among themselves, but while talking to the shop-girl in English! I went to Prasiddhi on Double Road (near Wilson Gardens). The shop boy asks me how come I speak such beautiful Kannada and I told him that I am from Bangalore. He was in a state of shock.

Go to Delhi and see how many people speak to you at least in English?? Nil I must say. Most of the Delhites speak only in Hindi despite knowing that you are from South India. Funny thing was that when I was studying in New Delhi, some of my classmates who were from UP used to converse in English among themselves but when it comes to speaking with me they would switch over to Hindi saying it is national language. You know what I did? I refuse to speak to them in Hindi and said Hindi is not my national language. My national language is Kannada. If she wishes to speak to me in national language she should learn Kannada! They all were taken aback.

When I used Rajdhani express, I could not order food in Kannada because the other one does not know Kannada and there was no one in his staff who understood Kannada! I told him who employed him in a Rajdhani that  shuttles between Bangalore and New Delhi. He said an agency in Delhi. A north Indian woman who is been living in Bangalore and sharing same compartment said, why should he speak in Kannada? If you do not know Hindi I will help you . I told her Very obvious- this is a train between Bangalore and New Delhi. I am not asking your help . Later on she says I am a Kannada nationalist (read as chauvinist)! Expecting to speak your language in a train that originates from your own hometown is a crime and should you be labeled a chauvinist for this?

I was shocked to hear Radio City based in Bangalore that shows hardly any respect to Kannada language and culture. If you do not show your protest, others will think you are agreeing to their ways (at least the northies). All flights that end in Bangalore should play music from our state. Have you seen how flights to other cities reflect their regions music? If anyone wants a plot or flat, they should be asked to qualify Kannada language exam and then only be eligible to apply for a plot or flat in Karnataka.

If you go to USA or Japan you are asked to show your proficiency in the languages spoken there. Why can't we implement the same? Our Kannada teachers will get enough employment. We should also urge the state to establish Kannada Centers all over Bangalore. People who keep cribbing that they do not have facilities to study Kannada language can access such Kannada Kendra and learn about our state and our culture.

What about of Times of India? I think it is the biggest enemy of Kannadigas and its stance is very anti-Kannadiga. Most of their employees come from North India. I have hardly seen or heard Kannadiga being employed in Times of India, Bangalore. Most of the reports on Bangalore are North Indian culture centered. Recently there was a report that said how Bangalore celebrated Karvachuath. No report on Ganesha habba or Varalakshmi habba that were celebrated in the city. They also keep saying the population of Kannadigas in Bangalore is only 13 percent. Somehow I was not very happy with this number. When I asked my cousin who works as a public prosecutor at High Court, he said Yaavanu heliddu. More than 50 percent All Kannadigas or pro-Kannadigas boycott Times of India!!

I remember few years ago when I started a Kannada organization, I got cold shoulders from none other than people whose mother tongue was Kannada. This guy from Bellary says he does not like to be branded or associated with such regional associations! They were already Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu, Gujarati associations operating in full swing in Tokyo! Kannadigas were the only community who did not have organization. We used to meet in a Tamil Iyengars house to celebrate Kannada Rajyothsava. Later on the same guy hijacked my organization and made it into a family oriented- meaning- an association to find playmates for his kids and place to accumulate information for his business and friends for his bored wife! My intention was to give information to Japanese people about our State and expose them to our rich culture and heritage.

The tourist office run by government of India has hardly kept any information on tourist places of Karnataka. For my first meeting people from Karnataka- people who spoke Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Tulu also came. If they did not love Kannada culture why would they take the pains of spending their money and coming traveling for hours to the meet? How many Kannadigas transact in Kannada when they go out of their homes in Bangalore?

I have seen enough Telugus, Tamils, and Marathis who are pro Kannada. I have seen many Kannada females refusing to converse in Kannada. When we use to organize Kannada get together in Delhi, there were hardly any females used to turn up for the meet. We should analyze among ourselves- who is the enemy of Kannada language and Kannada culture? Next time you are in Bangalore speak in Kannada.

Srujani Reddy
Tokyo
norinaka@hotmail.com

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