PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat Praise For Kannada School Initiative Moves Dubai Kannadigas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mention of the Kannada Patha Shaale in Dubai during his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address triggered an emotional response among Kannada-speaking communities in the UAE.

Through his remarks, the Prime Minister praised Kannada Mitraru UAE for running a school that helps children of the Indian diaspora learn their mother tongue while living abroad.

According to Shashidhar Nagarajappa, President of the Kannada Patha Shaale Dubai (KPSD) and Karnataka Sangha Dubai, the recognition profoundly moved the community. He said the Prime Minister’s words filled Kannadigas in Dubai with pride and joy.

Referring to the initiative, PM Modi described Kannada as a matter of pride and applauded the organisation for teaching thousands of children to read, write, and speak the language outside India. By doing so, he underlined the importance of preserving regional languages among overseas Indians.

Speaking to IANS, Shashidhar Nagarajappa said, “We never imagined that our efforts would be noticed by the Prime Minister. When PM Modi spoke about Kannada and our school, the whole of Dubai and the UAE celebrated.”

“People who had not contacted us for years called to congratulate us. The children were especially thrilled,” he added.

Recalling the sequence of events, Nagarajappa said the Indian Consulate in Dubai contacted the Sangha after the Prime Minister’s Office sought details about the initiative. Even then, the team did not anticipate a mention during ‘Mann ki Baat’. During a routine review meeting, an office-bearer informed them about the Prime Minister’s remarks, turning it into an unforgettable moment.

Following the broadcast, congratulatory messages arrived from across the world. Nagarajappa noted that the children enrolled in the school felt particularly delighted and motivated.

Kannada Patha Shaale’s Structure and Reach

Currently, the Dubai Kannada School conducts classes on Fridays and Saturdays, holding around 40 sessions across various time slots. The school groups students into three levels based on language proficiency.

At present, nearly 1,400 students attend the classes, supported by 19 teachers and about 80 volunteers who serve without remuneration.

Established in 2014 after extensive discussions with community leaders across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates, the initiative gained strength through structured classrooms, trained teachers, and a formal syllabus backed by the Kannada Development Authority.

Formally launched on November 1, 2014, to mark Kannada Rajyotsava, the school has since conducted examinations, parent-teacher meetings, and cultural programmes during major festivals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift to online classes significantly increased student enrolment.

Additionally, the organisation honours individuals contributing to the promotion of Kannada by conferring the Kannada Mitra Award. Nagarajappa emphasised that the initiative functions solely out of love for the language, without financial exchange.

Urging policy support, he appealed to the Karnataka government not to shut down Kannada-medium schools even when enrolment is low, stressing that language preservation remains central to cultural identity.

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