Regional languages enrich Kannada, says CM Siddaramaiah at Arebhashe Academy awards
Bengaluru: Kannada is the foundation of Karnataka’s identity, and regional languages like Arebhashe have only enriched it, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday. He was speaking after inaugurating the 2024 Arebhashe Academy Honour Awards organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture and the Karnataka Arebhashe Culture and Literature Academy at Ravindra Kalakshetra.
The Chief Minister noted that Arebhashe-speaking Gowdas largely reside in Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, with a population of over three lakh. He recalled historical references from the 1882 Gazette, which mention the community’s movement from Sakleshpur to Sullia during a drought when the Hemavathi River had dried up. Over time, a mix of Tulu, Konkani and Kannada gave rise to Arebhashe, he said. Words like vone for ‘I am going’ and bane for ‘I am coming’ reflect how some sounds were dropped, shaping the dialect. He emphasised that the community, originally from the Gowda fold, carries a distinct cultural identity.
Siddaramaiah remembered his acquaintance with Kurunji Venkataramanagowda, an Arebhashe speaker, and pointed out that Karnataka has around 230 minor languages and dialects, all linked in some way to Kannada. He urged the academy to continue its efforts to preserve and promote Arebhashe.
Referring to earlier support extended to the Nadagowda community in parts of the coastal belt, he said one crore rupees had been released in the past, and the current request for 50 lakh rupees would be met. Other demands would be reviewed and resolved, he assured. He also said that a proposal to allocate land for Arebhashe Gowdas in Madikeri would be placed before the next cabinet meeting.
The Chief Minister congratulated K.R. Gandadhara, U.P. Shivananda and D.S. Anand, who received this year’s Arebhashe Academy Honour Awards.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minister Byrathi Suresh, legislators, CM’s legal adviser Ponnanna, MLA Acharna Gowda, Kannada Development Authority chairman Purushottama Bilimale, Arebhashe Academy chairman Sadananda Maviji and Kannada and Culture Department director Gayatri were present.
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SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday.
The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters.
The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added.
The second sexual assault complaint was received by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, which it forwarded to the state police chief.
ALSO READ: Cong expels rape-accused MLA Mamkootathil from party's primary membership
Following this, the Crime Branch registered a case and launched an investigation.
Crime Branch officials said the email complaint contained only the sender's email ID and no other contact details.
As part of the probe, they have sent a reply email requesting that the complainant contact them and provide her statement.
The complainant has alleged that she was sexually assaulted under the false promise of marriage, a Crime Branch official said.
However, details such as the location and date of the alleged incident are not currently available to the police.
The SIT will attempt to trace the sender of the email and record her statement, which is crucial for further investigation, the officer said.
Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party on Thursday after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail petition in another rape case.
Police said he is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway in Kerala and neighbouring states.
