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Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister and Bidar District In-charge Eshwar B. Khandre called upon the people to collectively pledge to protect and promote the State’s land, language, water, and cultural heritage. Hoisting the national flag at the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations held at the Nehru Stadium in Bidar on Saturday, the Minister said Karnataka’s rich history, tradition, and spiritual legacy make it a land of exceptional diversity and harmony. “Karnataka’s history spans over 2,000 years. Our kings and rulers, through generations, have nurtured and protected the Kannada land and language. As poet laureate Kuvempu said, Karnataka is a garden of peace for all communities — and this applies especially to Bidar, a land sanctified by Basavanna and revered for its syncretic heritage,” Mr. Khandre said. He highlighted Bidar’s unique cultural landscape – from Basavakalyan, sanctified by the 12th-century reformers, to Nanak Jhira Gurudwara, Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan, and temples such as Jhara Narasimha Swamy and Papanasheshwara, where people of all faiths coexist like brothers. “Despite being a border district influenced by other languages, Kannada has survived, flourished, and shone bright here and that is something we can all take pride in,” he remarked. Describing Karnataka as a land of unity in diversity, Mr. Khandre said that the State’s cultural pluralism and interfaith harmony are its greatest strengths. “Saints, poets, and reformers, from the Vachana composers to the Haridasas, have greatly contributed to social reform and enriched Kannada literature. As Vishwaguru Basavanna showed us in the 12th century, true social transformation begins with compassion and equality,” he said. Pointing to the recent rains that destroyed standing crops on around 1.69 lakh hectares in Bidar district, Mr. Khandre said that about ₹300 crore compensation had been sanctioned, and ₹70 crore was being credited in the first phase to the accounts of one lakh farmers. “Projects worth ₹2,000 crore have been completed in Bidar district with the funds provided by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, while an action plan of ₹500 crore has been proposed for the current year. Eight lakh saplings have been planted across the district this year to increase the green cover. A national-level sports complex will be established near Naubad,” he said. Mr. Khandre urged students and citizens to contribute to the State’s progress through education and by using Kannada in their daily lives. “Let us all take pride in our mother tongue and make Kannada a part of our everyday expression,” he said. Earlier, a grand procession of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari was taken out from Basaveshwara Circle in the city. Several eminent personalities from the fields of literature, music, journalism, and social service were felicitated, and students from various schools presented cultural performances. The event was attended by MP Sagar Eshwar Khandre, MLA Shailendra Beldale, MLC Bhimrao Patil, BUDA Chairman Basavaraj Jabashetti, City Municipal Council President Mahmad Gous, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Zilla Panchayat CEO Girish Badole, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, City Corporation Commissioner Ramya Ranganath, and Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashish Reddy and others.
