• Source:JND
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During President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Mysuru on Monday, a light and memorable moment unfolded on stage when Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned to her with a smile and asked, “Do you know Kannada?” The President, equally gracious, responded with a smile of her own, admitting she didn’t but quickly added, “I will certainly make an effort to learn Kannada, little by little.”

The candid exchange took place during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), adding a personal and cultural touch to the formal event.

President Murmu had landed in Mysuru earlier in the day and was welcomed at the airport by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The milestone event at AIISH was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, the royal heir of Mysuru.

While delivering his welcome address in Kannada, Siddaramaiah paused, turned to the President, and asked with a smile, “Do you know Kannada?”

President Murmu replied with a heartfelt message, “I would like to tell the honourable Chief Minister that although Kannada is not my mother tongue, I deeply cherish all the languages, cultures, and traditions of my country. I hold great respect and regard for each of them.”

She further emphasized the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage, saying, “I wish that everyone continues to keep their language alive, preserves their traditions and culture, and moves forward in that direction. I extend my best wishes for this. And I will certainly make an effort to learn Kannada, little by little.”

However, the moment was warmly received by the audience.

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The Chief Minister’s question comes just months after he made headlines by stating that everyone residing in Karnataka should learn the local language. “We are all Kannadigas. People speaking different languages have settled in here (and) everyone living in this state should learn to speak Kannada,” he had said at that time as per NDTV reported.

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That remark sparked criticism and protests from opposition leaders, who accused Siddaramaiah of pushing a divisive language agenda. This isn’t the first time he has strongly advocated for Kannada during his previous term as Chief Minister, he had made several efforts to promote its official and public use across the state.