India, Nov. 7 -- Nov. 1 was Karnataka Rajyotsava and, like clockwork, our leaders delivered speeches about the need to protect and promote Kannada.

This year, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Government was keen to give the State flag official recognition and added that this will be discussed during the Winter Session of the legislature in Belagavi, scheduled to commence on Dec. 2.

We suggest that, along with the flag, the Government give equal attention to something far more fundamental, which is promoting spoken Kannada, backed by a proper budget and a practical policy. Because a language cannot survive on flags and slogans alone. It needs speakers.

Every year, pro-Kannada activists demand that outsiders learn Kannada. Sometim...