Kannada pride done right: This residents’ association is offering free language classes

The Sarjapur RWA along with Kannada Saahithya Parishath (KSP), a non-profit organisation, is offering free Kannada lessons for residents of the area.
Kannada pride done right: This residents’ association is offering free language classes
Kannada pride done right: This residents’ association is offering free language classes

At a time when the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) is aggressively pushing for Kannada in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, a city suburb has opened its doors to non-Kannadigas for learning the language.

The Sarjapur Resident Welfare Association along with Kannada Saahithya Parishath (KSP), a non-profit organisation, is offering free Kannada lessons for residents of the area. And the response has been more than encouraging.

“The Kannada Saahithya Parishath approached us and we were more than happy to accept the proposal. So we looked at making arrangements and were expecting not more than 30 people to enroll,” Joy VR, Secretary of Sarjapur RWA told TNM.

Joy said that after word was put across, there were more than 200 persons enrolling for the class.

“This meant that we had to divide them into two classes. The classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays. After the initial two weeks, we have had some dropouts but still both the classes have more than 70 students each,” Joy said.   

Presently, there is one teacher from the Parishat and one of the members of the RWA, Dr Bhageerathi, acts as a coordinator for the programme. But the overwhelming response has meant that there is a need for more teachers.

“It was the spirit of Dr Bhageerathi and Sunil Kumar, the Parishat Secretary for Sarjapura-Hobil that made it possible for the classes to start. They (the Parishat) are planning to give us one more teacher,” Joy said.

The current programme is a three-month class for spoken Kannada which started last month and will end in October. Interested learners can pursue it further if they wish to, with the help of KSP, said Joy.

The Saturday classes are held in a nearby college while the Sunday classes are held in community halls or club houses of 30-odd different apartment complexes on different weeks.

“We also use these classes to further engage with residents, and add new members to our organization and also spread the message of civic issues like waste segregation. This Kannada class will help us connect, so we have a reason to have it in different apartment buildings every week,” Joy said.

Speaking on the actions of the KDA and the state government towing their line, Joy expressed his disappointment.

“The way it is going is crazy. It is not at all welcoming. I know the authorities have all the rights to impose the state language but they should not do this in this fashion. I don’t think this is a very positive development,” Joy said identifying himself as a resident of the city.

In another step on Tuesday, the KDA issued notices to all banks operating in the state asking employees to learn the language in six months or face the axe.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com