Mandya celebrates Rajyotsava, 50th anniversary of renaming the State 

Karnataka's rich history, culture, and heritage of thousands of years recalled at Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Mandya. Minister Cheluvarayaswamy highlighted State govt's welfare schemes, recalled contributions of many poets, litterateurs, and dynasties. Govt to mark golden jubilee of renaming of State and launch ratha at Hampi. Welfare schemes empower socially and economically weaker sections. Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and drinking water schemes benefit many.

The rich history, culture and heritage of Karnataka extending to thousands of years was recalled at the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Mandya on Wednesday.

The main function was held at the Police Parade Grounds in the town and the Mandya district in charge Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy also highlighted the social welfare programmes launched by the State government in Mandya district.

He recalled the contributions of Alur Venkataraya, B.M. Srikantaiah, A.N. Krishna Rao, N.S. Hardikar, Hardikar Manjappa, Deputy Channabasappa, Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, Kengal Hanumantaiah, Patil Puttappa, poet laureate Kuvempu, and others. ‘’This is an occasion to recall their contributions which led to the unification of all Kannada-speaking regions and formation of one State which was subsequently renamed as Karnataka on November 1, 1973,” said Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy.

Karnataka has a history that extends to many centuries and all dynasties including the Gangas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar rulers, and Wadiyars of Mysuru have contributed to enrichment of the culture and arts of the State, he added.

He also recalled that the State had given birth to poets and litterateurs since historical times and cited the examples of Pampa, Ranna, Ponna, Janna, Kumaravyasa, and Lakshmisha while in modern times there were examples of poets like Govinda Pai, Kuvempu, G.S. Shivarudrappa, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, Da. Ra. Bendre, Shivaram Karanth, Girish Karnad, U.R. Ananthamurthy, Chandrashekar Kambar etc.

The Minister said that the State government will hold many programmes to mark and celebrate the golden jubilee of renaming of the State as Karnataka and Chief Minister will flag off a ratha at Hampi.

Dwelling on the public welfare schemes of the government he said that the State was committed to the empowerment of the socially and economically weaker section and hence the guarantee schemes had been launched.