Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Mar 13: Menus of food outlets from small restaurants to star hotels are never found in Kannada. Then how will you find a menu in an airline? That too from an airline from a foreign land?
The Dubai based Emirates Airline has taken up such a step. In between stigma that Kannada is being neglected in Airlines and Airports, the airline has come forward to show that it is pro- Kannada.
No local languages can be found in the menus of local airlines Air India, Indigo, Air Arabia, Jet Airways and others. In the circumstances all Emirates airline flights from Dubai to Bengaluru have got their menus printed in English, Urdu and Kannada. This has caused joy and surprise to Kannadiga travelers.
Dubai traveler Nawaz who arrived in Bengaluru last week said that he travels between Dubai and Bengaluru once in three months. “I travel by different airlines. I have never seen menu in Kannada in them. However I saw Kannada in the menu of Emirates airlines. Emirates Airlines showing interest in Kannada is an example to airlines in the country,” he said.
A person employed in a private airline as flight attendant said that he has been working in the airline for the last ten years. “No other airline has printed its menu in Kannada. Kannada menu in Emirates Airlines has made me happy”, he said.
“Kannada could have used in menu as several people from Karnataka are employed in Dubai. It may also be a ploy to attract Kannada speaking travelers. However, it is commendable.” he added.
Kannada organizations have praised Emirates Airlines for this initiative. Some said even a Kannadiga Vijay Mallya failed to do during his Kingfisher time what Emirates did now.