Karnataka celebrates 55th formation day

BANGALORE - Colourful cultural programmes and march pasts by National Cadet Corps across Karnataka marked the 55th foundation day of the state Monday.

A function was held at Sri Kanteerava Stadium in the heart of Bangalore, where around 12,000 school students presented various cultural programmes in front of a cheering audience.

“My government will make all efforts to promote the interests of Kannada language and the state,” said Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who inaugurated the function.

Many Indian states were reorganised on the basis of language on Nov 1, 1956. Several Kannada speaking areas that were part of pre-Independence Bombay province, Madras presidency and Hyderabad province were integrated into a new state called Mysore.

Its name was changed to Karnataka in 1973.

Functions were held in all the main towns of the state’s 30 districts, with Yeddyurappa’s cabinet colleagues taking part in police march pasts and other cultural programmes.

The sole dissenting note was in Belgaum, which has a substantial Marathi-speaking population. Maharastra Ekikaran Samithi, that seeks integration of Belgaum with neighbouring Maharashtra, observed the day as ‘black day’ and took out a rally.

In New Delhi, the day was celebrated at Karnataka Bhavan with Governor H.R. Bhardwaj in attendance.

The capital also saw a demonstration by Codava National Council, an organisation of people from Kodagu district, seeking special status for the district, known for its coffee plantations and orange orchards.