Bengaluru: Minister for Energy and Culture, V. Sunil Kumar said, “By inculcating a habit of reading a Kannada newspaper per day, reading a Kannada book per month, and similarly watching a Kannada movie once every two months, it is possible for people to also play their part in the growth of the Kannada language and culture.”

The Minister who offered floral tribute to the images of ‘Bharathambe’ and ‘Kannadaambe’ at the premises of the Bengaluru Ravindra Kalakshetra on Wednesday, thus took over the ministerial position of the department. 

“Work needs to be done to bring culture to the power department and bring power to the Culture department, and I will sincerely strive to do that”, he said. 

“I will undertake all necessary measures to impeccably bring reform in governance in both departments, for efficient implementation of programs”, he informed. 

During the occasion, the Kannada and Cultural department’s Jaanapadashree Award recipient for the year 2019-20, Bheemavva Dodda Baalavva Shillekyata, and recipient of BV Karanth Award, H. V. Venkatasubbaiah were conferred with their respective awards in the premises of the Kalakshetra. 

Sitting on the steps of the Kalakshetra, the Minister signed the departmental files and officially began his ministerial duties. Thereafter, he visited the Sirigannada Bookstore under the Kannada Books Authority and paid Cash and bought Kanakaavalokana book, along with DVG’s ‘Nenapina Chitragalu’ and Shivaram Karanth’s Book of Plays.

President of Kannada Development Authority T. S. Nagabharana, President of the Border Development Authority Dr. C. Somashekhar, President of Kannada Books Authority Dr. M. N. Nandish Hanche, President of Sahitya Acedemy Vasanthkumar B. V., President of Karnataka Movie Academy Sunil Puranik, President of Music and Dance Academy Aanur Ananth Krishnasharma, President of Karnataka Lalithakala Academy Mahidra, Member of the Vidhana Parishad Tara Anuradha, Theatre artist B. V. Rajaram, Art Director Shashidhar Adapa, Actress Malavika Avinash, Mysuru Theatre Director Addanda Karyappa, Silent Coordinator of the Kanaka Studies Faculty M. R. Satyanarayan and Secretary of the Kannada and Cultural Department Ravishanker, Director of the Kannada and Cultural Department S. Rangappa were present.



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Shimla, Apr 5 (PTI): The Congress' leniency towards Waqf boards led to them flouting norms, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut alleged on Saturday and said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament would address the issue of largescale land-grabbing.

Addressing a Jan Sampark Abhiyan in the Majhvad area of her Mandi constituency, the actor-politician welcomed the Waqf bill's passage and claimed there was a big conspiracy behind the formation of Waqf boards even before Independence.

The entire country is suffering till now because of that, she alleged.

The new legislation will address the issue of significant encroachments, she claimed and alleged huge chunks of land had been grabbed in the name of Waqf boards.

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, early on Friday after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following an over 13-hour debate.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It was passed in the Lok Sabha early on Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

Ranaut also said Congress leaders elected from Mandi did not raise their voices for the people in Parliament.

That is why Himachal Pradesh is in huge debt today, she claimed.

The BJP MP, who hails from Mandi, said Congress leaders made an uncalled-for remark about the district -- also known as Chhoti Kashi -- to defame it while she was preparing to return home.

Ranaut was referring to a comment by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate after the actor-politician was fielded by the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls that had evoked strong reactions.

Speaking in the local dialect, she expressed her gratitude to the people of Mandi for electing her and said she would work for their welfare as a sister and daughter.

Earlier, Ranaut paid obeisance at the Bhoot Nath temple.