Kannada Rajyotsava

The criteria for formation of Indian States is language [and of course politicians  these days!]. India became a Republic in the year 1956 and in same year linguistic  provinces were formed. The state of Mysore is one such state in south India.

The state of Mysore was created taking into fold various parts of the region,  which were ruled by kings. Several districts in, now called North Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka were dissolved in the new state. The new state was named  after Mysore, which by itself was a princely state.

People of North and Hyderabad area did not accept the name Mysore. People of  this region were demanding a change in the name. After prolonged debate the  name of the state was changed to Karnataka on November 1, 1973.

Late Devaraj Urs the then Chief Minister of state took this landmark decision. Officially the new state was born on Nov. 1 and on this day every year birthday of the state is celebrated. This is popularly called as Kannada Rajyotsava or Karnataka Rajyotsava. Rajyotsava means "birth of a state".

Initially change of name was cheered by all. The very name Kannada and Karnataka evoked a sense of unity. But in the past few years it is proved beyond all  reasonable doubts that the enthusiasm is all but short lived euphoria.

Come Nov. 1 Karnataka will be in a joyous mood. This day is a government  holiday. Very few will be out in the streets and community centers chanting  Kannada . Majority of people will enjoy the gift of a holiday.

That does not necessarily mean Karnataka is cool and peaceful. The state has  been witnessing hue and cries now and then from a section of society. Reason:  Deterioration in the number of people using Kannada and dominance of other  languages like Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

Government didn't keep quite. It gave a call to observe Kannada Awareness  year in the 1993. It even formed a committee called Kannada Kavalu Samiti  (Kannada Watch dog).

Is the dog watching? No, laments true lovers of the language. We don't want  anybody to watch us, we will take our own way… says the rest.

The State Govt announces Rajyotsava awards every year, which is given to people  who have contributed to the Karnataka state.  Since 1999, Bangalore holds India's most popular and envied IT show called  BangaloreIT.com from Nov 1-5.