Karnataka observes its foundation day called Kannada Rajyostva on 1 November annually. It is celebrated by Kannadigas across the world. Read on to know about its significance.
Kannada Rajyostva dates back to 1 November 1956, when all the Kannada language-speaking regions in South India united to form the state of Karnataka. Ever since, the day has been observed as a Government holiday in Karnataka annually.
Also known as the Karnataka Foundation Day, this day is celebrated by Kannadigas across the world. In Karnataka, people hoist the vibrant red and yellow state flag and sing the Kannada anthem—Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate, followed by song and dance performances in offices and schools.
Winners of the Rajyotsava Awards are also announced and felicitated by the Government of Karnataka on this day. The award is the second-highest civilian honour in Karnataka after Karnataka Ratna to recognise contributions in the fields of arts, culture, literature, science, education, sports, industry, public affairs and social service.
The History of Kannada Rajyotsava
Karnataka’s official name originated from ‘Karu Nadu’, meaning elevated land. It holds immense significance with a renowned Indian historian and writer, Aluru Venkata Rao, who was the first person to dream of unifying all Kannada-speaking regions into a state with the Karnataka Ekikarana movement.
After India became a republic, this movement concluded in Mysore becoming one of the states of South India. After six years, on 1 November 1956, Mysore was merged with the surrounding Kannada-speaking regions of Bombay and Madras presidencies along with those in the principality of Hyderabad to create a unified entity.
However, the people of North Karnataka were against retaining the name ‘Mysore’ for the new state. Thus, it was renamed to ‘Karnataka’ on 1 November 1973.
The legacy of Karnataka
Karnataka is one of the most important cultural centres with a rich history of both Hindustani and Carnatic music. The state’s northern regions have been home to musical maestros like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Sawai Gandharva.
It also has eight Jnanapith Award winners in the category of literature, second only to ten awardees for Hindi literature.
Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, popularly known by his pen name Kuvempu, was the first Kannada writer to receive the Jnanpith Award. He was an Indian poet, playwright, novelist and critic who is revered as the greatest Kannada poet of the 20th century.
NGO activity in Karnataka
Karnataka is also the birthplace of an esteemed 21-year-old NGO called The Akshaya Patra Foundation, which has devoted itself to making the most basic need of nutritious food available to millions of underprivileged people of India.
It started as an NGO in Bangalore that fed mid-day meals to 1,500 children in five Government schools of Karnataka. Today, its state-of-the-art kitchens are present in 65 locations, fueling a range of programmes for several marginalised communities across India.
Nourishing meals from this charity in Karnataka now reach 14 states and 2 union territories every day. As for its fundamental motive of providing meals for education under PM Poshan Abhiyaan, it currently nourishes 2 million children from low socioeconomic backgrounds daily.
In Karnataka, it feeds 3,51,381 children in 3,188 Government schools.
Meet one of the talented mid-day meal beneficiaries in Karnataka
Chetan B Malladad is a student of HPKGS school in Hubballi. He has three siblings. His mother is a mid-day meal worker and his father is an employee at a local hospital. Little Chetan is a mid-day meal beneficiary and loves the food he eats at school. He says he is not just grateful for the food but also for employing his mother.
Here’s what Chetan says:
Final thoughts
The PM Poshan Abhiyaan beneficiaries in Karnataka and the rest of India will surely be the next batch of its achievers, including artists, writers, scientists, sportspeople, industrialists, social workers and more. The only ask is to nurture them with quality food, play and education.
And, your contribution matters!
Support to nourish and educate ambitious children like Chetan every day! Donate to NGOs like Akshaya Patra for the glorious future of Karnataka and India.
