The 71st Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated with enthusiasm at the District Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri on Sunday. The event was organised by the Kodagu district administration, with District In-charge Minister P.M. Narendraswamy hoisting the flag and addressing the gathering on Kannada language, culture, state unification and development.
Narendraswamy said Kannada was not merely a language but an integral part of the people’s identity and culture. He recalled that Kannada-speaking regions were brought together on November 1, 1956, to form the unified Mysore State, and said Kannadigas should remember those who worked for unification. The eight Jnanpith Awards won by Kannada litterateurs, he added, reflected the richness of the language. He cited literary figures including Pampa, Kuvempu, D.R. Bendre, Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar and V.K. Gokak.
He welcomed the selection of two achievers from Kodagu-former Indian hockey goalkeeper Dr A.B. Subbaiah and fashion designer Prasad Bidappa-for the 2026 Kannada Rajyotsava Awards. He also highlighted Kodagu’s contribution to the armed forces, recalling Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya, and noted the role played by the newspaper Kodagu, founded by B.N. Muddappa and his associates, in promoting Kannada and awareness of the unification movement. He also acknowledged the contributions of Kodagina Gowramma to Kannada literature and athlete Machettira Poovamma to sport.
Guarantee schemes and public welfare
The minister said the state government’s five guarantee schemes had provided financial support and livelihood security to lakhs of families. In Kodagu, 1.99 crore women’s journeys and 4.92 lakh journeys by children and female students had been recorded under the Shakti scheme, according to the figures cited. Under Gruha Lakshmi, ?715.41 crore had been transferred to beneficiaries in the district between August 2023 and June 2026. Under Gruha Jyothi, 2.01 lakh consumers had registered and ?8.12 crore in subsidies had been provided. A total of 1,04,945 ration-card holders were benefiting from Anna Bhagya, while 2,242 young people had received assistance under Yuvanidhi.
Development priorities for Kodagu
The government had prioritised agriculture, education, healthcare, roads, infrastructure and the welfare of tribal communities, Narendraswamy said. Under Krishi Bhagya, farm ponds had been constructed for 40 beneficiaries at a cost of ?25.29 lakh, while 175 houses had been sanctioned under Adivasi Gruha Bhagya.
He also referred to efforts to expand healthcare facilities in Kodagu, including construction of a new 300-bed hospital. Development works worth Rs 20 crore had been taken up in the Virajpet Assembly constituency and works worth Rs15 crore in the Madikeri constituency. The Praja Seva Abhiyana public-outreach programme was being held on the first and third Saturdays of every month to address public grievances at the taluk level.
The minister urged young people to develop an interest in Kannada language, literature, culture and the arts and to become responsible inheritors of the state’s rich heritage.
Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda presided over the event. Those present included Rajesh Yallappa, chairman of the Madikeri Urban Development Authority; M.P. Keshava Kamath, district president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat; Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar; Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindumani; Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek; Additional Deputy Commissioner Jayalakshmi; the tahsildar; officials from various departments; students; and members of the public. Students presented cultural programmes, including a dance celebrating Kannada land and language.
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