Mysore/Mysuru: The 67th Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated in city on Tuesday with traditional flag hoisting, cultural programmes and felicitation of achievers.

The main event, organised by the district administration, which was held in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the North Gate of Mysore Palace, began with the conduct of special pujas at Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi Temple in the Palace premises, in which District Minister S.T. Somashekar took part.

Later addressing the gathering near Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple after hoisting the Kannada flag and receiving the Guard of Honour, Somashekar said that the Government is committed for the all-round development of Kannada language and the State. Noting that the Rajyotsava is being held by the district administration in a grand manner after a two-year low key celebrations due to COVID pandemic, he said that Kannada culture and language is unique in several ways. Asserting that Karnataka is the confluence of various religions and cultures, he maintained that the State is known for religious tolerance.

“In this era of globalisation, English is a necessity. But priority is always for Kannada and we all have the responsibility of conserving our language,” he said. Pointing out that Karnataka is the first State to implement the National Educational Policy-2020, he said that the emphasis is on the mother tongue.

Continuing, the Minister said that the State Government is making all efforts to protect and develop Kannada schools and has launched ‘Kannadakkaagi Navu’ campaign. This apart, initiatives like ‘Maathad Maathad Kannada’ and ‘Koti Kanta Gayana’ have been conducted to create an ambience of Kannada all over the State, he added.

Later, as many as 54 achievers from different fields, chosen by the district administration for their contributions, were conferred with district-level Rajyotsava Award and were felicitated on the occasion.

Earlier in the morning, the idol of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi was taken in a procession from the Palace North Gate. The procession passed through K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Irwin Road and Ashoka Road, before culminating at Town Hall. The Rajyotsava event in city also featured performances by several folk troupes. The Mysuru Police Band, students from Srikantha High School and Scouts and Guides and six platoons of the Police Department were part of the parade. They included CAR, DAR, KARP, City Civil Police, Women Police and Mounted Police Battalion.

MP Pratap Simha, MLAs S.A. Ramdas, L. Nagendra and  Tanveer Sait, MLC C.N. Manjegowda, Mayor Shivakumar, Deputy Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra, City Police Commissioner Dr. Chandragupta, MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, ZP CEO B.R. Poornima, MUDA Commissioner G.T. Dineshkumar  SP R. Chethan and others  were present.