In a bid to enhance communication between autorickshaw drivers and non-Kannadiga passengers, the Bengaluru City Police (BCP) Traffic Department, in partnership with ‘Auto Kannadiga,’ has launched the “Learn Kannada” initiative, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations. This initiative aims to address language barriers that have sometimes resulted in misunderstandings.
The campaign involves placing boards featuring basic Kannada phrases alongside their English translations behind the driver’s seat in autorickshaws, allowing passengers to familiarize themselves with Kannada. As of now, 5,000 autos have received these boards, with plans to expand to 50,000 by month-end. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic East) Kuldeep Kumar Jain emphasized the initiative’s goal of fostering better communication and comfort for non-Kannadigas in the city.
Support for the initiative has been positive among auto drivers, with many recognizing its potential to enhance interactions with passengers. Ramesh, an autorickshaw driver, noted that learning a few Kannada words fosters a friendly connection and facilitates understanding.
This initiative builds on the efforts of Ajmal Sultan, also known as “Auto Kannadiga,” who had previously launched a Kannada-teaching initiative to mitigate language-related challenges. The BCP Traffic Department hopes that this program will serve as an engaging introduction to Kannada, promoting inclusivity.
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