MYSORE, November 2, 2009: It is necessary to create awareness among youngsters about importance and distinctiveness of Kannada language. 

It would help them understand culture and traditions of Karnataka better, said district minister Shobha Karandlaje. Kannada is a beautiful language. Hence, Kannadigas should make efforts to popularize the language worldwide, she felt. The minister was at the Rajyotsava celebrations organized by the district administration at the Rangacharulu Memorial Town Hall in the city on Sunday.

Ruing that many Kannadigas hesitate to speak in Kannada or call it their language, she felt it is important for every Kannadiga to work towards helping people do away with the notion and developing a love for their language. "It is vital that every one of us work towards popularizing the language among youngsters and help them admire the language," she said.

Talking of the recent calamity in North Karnataka, she said the Rajyotsava celebration has been kept a low-key affair. "It is regretful that the recent disaster has taken away the lives of many and destroyed lakhs of houses. With tonnes of crops being destroyed, it has put in trouble several farmers,'' she said.

Earlier, a colourful procession was taken out on the main thoroughfares of the city by school children, government officials and mounted police.

The district administration felicitated Kannada medium students having secured distinction in SSLC and PUC examinations and awarded them a cash reward of Rs 5,000 and the agriculture department gave away Krishi Pandit awards consisting cash worth Rs 25,000 to E R Sriraman, M V Venkatesh and H L Lakshmi Kantha.