Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jul 29: In his letter to the principal secretary of the state revenue department relating to recent initiatives aimed at changing the names of certain districts in the state including Dakshina Kannada (DK), DK district deputy commissioner (DC), A B Ibrahim, has expressed the opinion that there is no need to change the name of this district from Dakshina Kannada to Mangalore.
In the letter, he noted that the people of this district have developed an emotional bond with the existing name, Dakshina Kannada. The issue of affecting a change of name for the district is very sensitive, and therefore, the need for change of name is not felt. This also happens to be the popular opinion of the people of the district, he stated.
'During the rule of the British, this district, which came under Madras Presidency, was known as South Kanara district. This name was later changed into Dakshina Kannada. The name, 'Kanara', has both historic and heritage value,' he noted in his letter.
Ibrahim also mentioned that Mangalore, which happens to be the headquarters of this district, is a unique combination and amalgamation of multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural people. 'People here speak different languages, including Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Beary, Bovi, Malayalam, and Marathi. Mangalore is known as Kudla in Tulu, Kodiyal in Konkani, Maikala in Beary language, Mangalapuram in Sanskrit and Malayalam, and Mangalore in English. Therefore, it is desirable to continue with the existing name, 'Dakshina Kannada',' he has stressed.