There’s no politics in their actions, only genuine love for the Kannada language. A group of 300, comprising mostly techies, has done what many will consider impossible: Get some international airlines to have menus and announcements in Kannada. Even the national carrier, Air India, does not do that on its Bangalore-Hubli flight.
The Kannada Grahakara Koota (Kannada consumers forum) has been striving to make manufacturers, service providers and sellers use Kannada in their day-to-day business.
In the last five years, it has taken up over a 1,000 issues, including seeking the playing of Kannada songs in malls and flight announcements in Kannada in the state airports.
While foreign airlines, including Lufthansa, Dragon Air and British Airways, introduced menus and announcements in Kannada, state-owned Air India continues with English and Hindi announcements even on flights within the state. Same is the case with Indian Railways.
“We wrote many letters to the Railways to have tickets and booking forms in Kannada, but they replied only after we sent them a letter through the chief minister. The reply said they do not have funds for forms in Kannada.”
21/03/13 S Shyam Prasad/Bangalore Mirror
