Minister and in-charge of Bidar district Eshwar B. Khandre at the 70th Karnataka Rajyostav celebrations at the Nehru Stadium in Bidar on Saturday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment and in-charge of Bidar District Office Eshwar B. Khandre called upon the people to collectively pledge to protect and promote the state’s land, language, water and cultural heritage.
Unfurling 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 have nurtured and protected the Kannada land and language for generations. As Poet Laureate Kuvempu said, Karnataka is a garden of peace for all communities – and this is especially true for Bidar, a land sanctified by Basavanna and worshiped by syncretic.
He highlighted the unique cultural landscape of Bidar – from Basavakalyan, consecrated by reformers in the 12th century, to Nanak Jhira Gurudwara, Madrasa Mahmud Gawan and temples like Jhara Narasimha Swamy and Papanasheshwara, where people of all faiths coexist as brothers. “Despite being a border region influenced by other languages, Kannada has survived, flourished and shone brightly here and that is something we can all be proud of,” he noted.
Describing Karnataka as a land of unity in diversity, Mr. Khandre said the state’s cultural plurality and inter-religious harmony were its biggest strengths. “Saints, poets and reformers, from composers Vachana to Haridasa, have contributed greatly to social reform and enriched Kannada literature. As Vishwaguru Basavanna showed us in the 12th century, real social transformation begins with compassion and equality,” he said.
Pointing to the recent rains that destroyed crops in an area of about 1.69 million hectares in Bidar district, Mr. Khandre said compensation of about ₹ 300 crore has been sanctioned and ₹ 70 crore has been credited to the accounts of one lakh farmers in the first phase.
“Projects worth ₹2,000 crore have been completed in Bidar district with 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 in the district this year to increase green cover. A national-level sports complex will be set up nearby,” he said.
Mr. Khandre urged students and citizens to contribute to the progress of the state through education and the use of Kannada in daily life. “Let us all be proud of our mother tongue and make Kannada a part of our daily speech,” he said.
Earlier, a grand procession of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari was taken out from Basaveshwara circle in the city. Several prominent personalities from the fields of literature, music, journalism and social services were felicitated and students of various schools presented a cultural performance.
Sagar MP Eshwar Khandre, MLA Shailendra Beldale, MLC Bhimrao Patil, BUDA Chairman Basavaraj Jabashetti, Municipal Council Chairman Mahmad Gous, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Zilla Panchayat CEO Girish Badole, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, Municipal Corporation Representative Conservath Redy Rama and Municipal Corporation Representative Ranganishath Rama others attended the event.
Published – 01 Nov 2025 19:54 IST
