BENGALURU: Saying Kannada gothu is likely to help African community win over their host community. African students, often accused of insensitivity by locals, are going all out to build bridges with the city by learning Kannada.
A students’ association is taking the initiative to start Kannada classes in the wake of last week’s flare-up in Chikkabanavara here.
A fatal accident caused by a Sudanese student, allegedly drunk, led to arson and violence on January 31. A mob allegedly roughed up a Tanzanian girl and ripped out her top. Six policemen were suspended and a dozen arrests made in the case.
In addition to promoting Kannada, the Federation of International Students Associations of Bangalore is encouraging its members to attend residents’ welfare association meetings. It is also pitching for a dedicated desk at some police stations for foreign nationals.
Sougour Hassan Ahmat, president of the association, said, “The classes will help us understand locals better and vice versa.”
The association is also planning to hold a cultural festival and seminar. “We will showcase our roots, our culture and our way of living. We are not against any culture. The only problem is we do not understand the language,” he said.
Citizens’ Concerns: People in Chikkabanavara, a neighbourhood with a concentration of African students, have time and again complained about the racket they make.
D S Rajashekhar, executive president, North East Residents’ Welfare Association, said, “After 9 pm, the students come out in large numbers when people are retiring for a peaceful night. They play music loudly, ride their motorbikes recklessly and get into drunken brawls.”
Ahmat admits such incidents take place. But with regular meetings and police help, the association hopes to put an end to the hostility. Citizens feel colleges have a large role to play in monitoring foreign nationals. “They can avert embarrassing situations,”
Rajashekhar said.
Colleges Speak
CMR Institute of Management Studies at Banaswadi, with a large number of Africans, has designated an official to deal with international students. The college, with about 1,500 African students, is working on a community radio station to cover about 15 km. It hopes to use it to help foreign students and Bengaluru interact and bond better.