Eshwar B. Khandre, who serves as the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister and the Minister in-charge for Bidar District, urged citizens to come together and commit to preserving and celebrating Karnataka’s precious land, language, water resources, and rich cultural heritage.
During the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations at Nehru Stadium in Bidar on Saturday, Minister Khandre, after hoisting the national flag, spoke passionately about the state. He highlighted Karnataka’s profound history, vibrant traditions, and deep spiritual roots, describing it as a truly diverse and harmonious land.
“With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, Karnataka has been a cradle of culture and language, safeguarded by generations of rulers,” stated Mr. Khandre. He invoked the words of poet laureate Kuvempu, who famously called Karnataka a “garden of peace for all communities,” a sentiment particularly resonant in Bidar, a region hallowed by Basavanna and celebrated for its remarkable blend of diverse traditions.
Mr. Khandre drew attention to Bidar’s distinctive cultural tapestry, citing its revered sites like Basavakalyan, significant to 12th-century reformers, the Nanak Jhira Gurudwara, the historic Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan, and ancient temples such as Jhara Narasimha Swamy and Papanasheshwara. These places exemplify how people of various faiths live together in harmony, like family. He proudly noted that even as a border district exposed to multiple languages, Kannada has not only endured but has thrived and shone brightly, a testament to the region’s resilience and cultural richness.
Emphasizing Karnataka’s identity as a beacon of unity in diversity, Mr. Khandre affirmed that the state’s vibrant cultural pluralism and interfaith harmony are its most profound assets. He underscored the immense contributions of numerous saints, poets, and social reformers, from the Vachana composers to the Haridasas, who have profoundly shaped both societal progress and Kannada literature. “As Vishwaguru Basavanna taught us in the 12th century,” he reiterated, “genuine social transformation is rooted in compassion and equality.”
Addressing the challenges faced by farmers, Mr. Khandre highlighted the recent heavy rains that devastated standing crops across approximately 1.69 lakh hectares in Bidar district. He announced that a compensation package of around ₹300 crore has been approved, with an initial sum of ₹70 crore already being disbursed to the accounts of one lakh affected farmers.
He further elaborated on developmental initiatives, stating that projects totaling ₹2,000 crore have been successfully completed in Bidar district, thanks to funding from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. An additional action plan worth ₹500 crore has been proposed for the current year. Efforts to boost green cover include the planting of eight lakh saplings across the district this year, and plans are underway to establish a national-level sports complex near Naubad.
Concluding his address, Mr. Khandre appealed to both students and the wider citizenry to actively contribute to the state’s advancement through education and by embracing Kannada in their daily interactions. “Let’s cultivate immense pride in our mother tongue and seamlessly integrate Kannada into every aspect of our daily expression,” he urged.
Earlier in the day, the festivities commenced with a magnificent procession featuring Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, starting from Basaveshwara Circle. The event also included the felicitation of distinguished individuals from literature, music, journalism, and social service, alongside captivating cultural performances by students from various schools.
Prominent attendees at the celebration included 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, among other dignitaries.