The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has requested the Karnataka government to mandate that doctors at government hospitals write prescriptions in Kannada, rather than English. This appeal aims to promote the use of the local language and preserve Kannada’s cultural identity. KDA Chairman Purushotham Bilimal conveyed this request to Karnataka’s Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, in a formal letter.
The Push for Kannada in Prescriptions
In his letter, Bilimal emphasized that government doctors working in health centers, taluk, and district hospitals across Karnataka should prioritize writing prescriptions in Kannada. This would be a significant step toward preserving and promoting the Kannada language. He mentioned that a recent visit to a government hospital in Raichur inspired doctors to begin writing prescriptions in Kannada. Bilimal claimed that hundreds of doctors had voluntarily expressed their willingness to adopt Kannada in their prescriptions after seeing the positive media coverage.
Support from the Karnataka Government
This request aligns with earlier statements from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has called for the creation of a “Kannada atmosphere” in the state. The Chief Minister emphasized that speaking Kannada in Karnataka should evoke a sense of pride among its citizens. He has also urged locals to communicate in Kannada with fellow residents as part of a broader push to preserve the language.
Legal Amendments for Language Promotion
Earlier this year, the Karnataka government passed an ordinance to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022. This amendment requires 60% of the space on signboards in the state to be occupied by Kannada, leaving the remaining 40% for other languages, including English. The government’s efforts to promote the use of Kannada have been evident in various sectors, and the KDA’s latest proposal further reinforces this initiative.
Conclusion
If adopted, the KDA’s proposal to write prescriptions in Kannada could significantly impact healthcare communication in Karnataka. It is seen as a step toward enhancing the local language’s relevance in everyday life, reinforcing Kannada’s importance in the state’s cultural and professional landscape.
