Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Kannada families in Dubai for their continued efforts to teach their children the Kannada language during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme.The prime minister said that efforts to stay connected to one’s roots go beyond India’s borders. He mentioned that Kannada families in Dubai asked themselves an important question about whether their children were losing touch with their language while advancing in the technology world. “This is where Kannada Patha Shala was born,” Modi said, adding that more than a thousand children are now part of the programme.
The recognition brought joy to the non-resident Kannadiga community in Dubai connected to Kannada Patha Shala Dubai. Shashidhar Nagarajappa, president of Kannada Patha Shala , said the team had been working since 2014 and never imagined that the Prime Minister would acknowledge their efforts. Praveen Shetty, president of the Karnataka Non-Resident Indians Forum and patron of Kannada Patha Shala Dubai, also thanked the Prime Minister for the recognition.
“When the Prime Minister finally mentioned our initiative, there were celebrations everywhere. It felt as though the entire Dubai was congratulating us. No Prime Minister has spoken about Kannada initiatives outside India before,” Nagarajappa said. He added that teachers were particularly happy, and parents sent emotional messages, with the team thanking Modi on social media.
The initiative began when volunteers approached Suttur Mutt Seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji in Dubai, who runs JSS Private School in Al Safa, and secured permission to start Kannada classes on the premises free of cost. The programme is entirely voluntary.The school runs a six-month course on Fridays and Saturdays for students aged six to 16, with three levels of instruction. The curriculum was developed with support from the Kannada Development Authority. The programme has expanded beyond Dubai to other Gulf countries and the UK, with interest from Kannadigas in Thailand and elsewhere. During the Covid-19 pandemic, classes moved online and have continued in that format.This year, 1,436 students are enrolled across 40 virtual classrooms with 20 teachers. Over half the students are in the basic course. The valedictory programme is scheduled for April 26th 2026, and organisers hope to invite Modi. The organisation also annually presents the Kannada Mitra Award to individuals quietly working for the language in Karnataka and supports government Kannada-medium schools by providing smart classroom equipment.
