Bengaluru police launches Kannada learning initiative for non-Kannadigas by putting up posters in autos

Travelling in Karnataka can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with Kannada, as locals often communicate solely in their native language, leaving little room for English or Hindi speakers. In a bid to improve interactions and enhance the experience of visitors in Bengaluru, the local police have launched an initiative to bridge this communication gap. This effort aims to make navigating the city smoother for everyone, regardless of their language skills.

In a commendable move to bridge the language gap for non-Kannadigas visiting Bengaluru, the local traffic police have launched an innovative initiative designed to teach basic Kannada phrases.

On Friday, they began placing informative posters on 5,000 autorickshaws throughout the city. These posters showcase essential conversational Kannada sentences transcribed in English letters, accompanied by their English translations.

The goal is to enhance communication between passengers and drivers, making travel in the city smoother for everyone.

This initiative, which aims to extend to a total of 50,000 autorickshaws within the month, was inspired by the Auto Kannadiga project, spearheaded by Azzu Sulthan, a 31-year-old autorickshaw driver from Jakkur.

Sulthan initially introduced boards in his auto with common Kannada phrases and their English translations to assist non-Kannada speakers in navigating the local culture.

Recognising the potential impact of such an approach, the traffic police decided to collaborate and further develop this idea.

MN Anucheth, the joint commissioner of Bengaluru traffic police, emphasised that a significant number of customer complaints against autorickshaw drivers were rooted in misunderstandings caused by language differences.

Representational image/ ET Auto

By implementing this educational campaign, they aim to alleviate those issues.

Anucheth shared that the police have also added a few more phrases to the original list, such as ¡°meter haaki¡± (put on the meter), which will be especially useful for passengers.

The posters will also include emergency contact numbers for the police, ensuring that riders can reach out if needed.

This creative approach is a win-win for everyone involved, making Bengaluru a more welcoming place for all its inhabitants and guests.

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