Advocating for promoting local culture and language, KSP President Mahesh Joshi has urged BIAL to introduce Kannada flight announcements at Bengaluru airport. The request comes ahead of Kannada Rajyotsava, and the 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
Published Sep 17, 2024 | 8:19 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2024 | 8:19 PM
Terminal 2 of Bengaluru Airport. (Twitter)
Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) president Mahesh Joshi called on Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), to ensure that announcements at the airport are made first in Kannada. Joshi stated his intention to write to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to formalise this request.
During a recent meeting with BIAL’s Managing Director and CEO, Hari Marar, Joshi emphasised the importance of promoting Kannada, ahead of Kannada Rajyotsava, which falls on 1 November. He said announcements could be made in other languages too, but urged airport authorities to make the first announcement on flights in Kannada.
Joshi also requested that welcome boards in Kannada be installed at the airport ahead of the 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (All India Kannada Literature Festival), scheduled to be held in Mandya from 20 to 22 December.
Joshi stressed the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for non-resident Kannadigas arriving from abroad for the event, adding that British Airways and Singapore Airlines have already begun incorporating Kannada in their in-flight announcements.
The request extends to both domestic and international flights, reflecting a push to promote the local language at one of India’s busiest airports.
KSP has also requested BIAL to establish reception desks for delegates arriving for the Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. These desks, according to the Parishat, would enhance the cultural experience of guests by providing them with information and assistance in Kannada.
Joshi’s plan includes extending the Kannada-first initiative to other airports in Karnataka, including the Mangaluru International Airport.
A spokesperson for BIAL clarified to South First that decisions about on-board announcements lie with individual airlines. “All signage at the airport is already in Kannada, English, and Hindi, but in-flight announcements are entirely at the discretion of the airlines,” the spokesperson said.
The airport reportedly supports other aspects of KSP’s request, such as installing reception desks and photo booths for delegates attending the literature festival. BIAL also plans to use digital displays and other forms of media to promote Kannada and engage passengers with activities that celebrate the language.
An official at the airport unwilling to be named (since he is not authorised to engage with the media) explained that while Joshi may write to the civil aviation ministry, any changes would ultimately require not just the approval of the ministry but also the cooperation of the different airlines.
Efforts by South First to reach Mahesh Joshi for a comment were unsuccessful.
Joshi has been advocating greater use of Kannada in public spaces, especially those frequented by international visitors. The request for the use of Kannada as the first language for flight announcements reflects the goal of the Sahitya Sammelana to elevate Kannada across Karnataka.
There is, as yet, no reaction from the civil aviation ministry to this request.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
