RohitIf one looks at what the three-day World Kannada Meet in Belgaum has yielded to Kannada and Karnataka, there is a positive sign and some lessons to be learnt.

First, the mega meet served as a morale booster to the people of this border district who were reassured that the entire state is with them and that the district is an inseparable part of the state. This confidence was engendered not by the big crowd or the grand cultural procession or the Rs50-crore spent by the state government to make the event a memorable one. Instead, what inspired them was the power of Kannada language which cast a spell on them for 72 hours. It reaffirmed their adherence to their ‘Kannada’ identity.

The sign was very positive as Kannadigas from all over the world proudly listened to heartbeats of the language they speak. The Marathi-speaking people in Belgaum happily joined the cultural procession and events to show where they belong. During the three-day session, there was no criticism against the Marathi-speaking community or Maharashtra.

And the meet went beyond literary and intellectual sessions. There were many art and cultural programmes to regale lakhs of visitors through the night. The Kannada film industry did not fall behind to join the party as stars came down to the stages to entertain the public. So what unfolded during the three days was a cultural extravaganza.

The meet also served to raise the concerns of non-resident Kannadigas and Horanadu Kannadigas. They said that despite their enthusiasm and zeal to participate in the growth of Kannada language, they were not being counted. Some of them were not given proper venues to voice their concerns and showcase their talents. However, when it comes to language development, they pledged to stay united.