Mangalore: Kudla, Kodial, Maikala, Mangalore, Mangalapura and Mangaluru. They said Mangalore is the only place, which has so many names. However, the Centre has approved the Karnataka government’s proposal to rename 12 cities of the state on Friday, including Mangalore and with this, Mangalore’s official name will be ‘Mangaluru’.
Eleven other cities which will have new name are Bangalore, which will be christened as Bengaluru, Bellary as Ballary, Bijapur as Vijaypura/Vijapura, Chikmagalur as Chikkamagalurru, Gulbarga as Kalaburagi, Mysore as Mysuru, Hospet as Hosapete, Shimoga as Shivamogga, Hubli as Hubballi and Tumkur as Tumakuru.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced recently that the names of key cities would be changed to reflect their native cultural flavour and upholding this, the 12 cities have been renamed to give a local touch and doing away with the English feel.
Speaking to Udayavani English, Mangalore MLA J R Lobo said that it is a welcomable move because the name is not going to face a massive change.
“There is not much of difference between Mangalore and Mangaluru. Even outsiders will be able to identify that this is the name of the same place. Further Mangaluru had a deep sense of local flavour to it,” said Mr Lobo.
The most highlighted aspect is the renaming of Belgaum to Belagavi to assert its Kannada roots, which was seen as a controversial move given the border dispute with Maharashtra.
The proposal to change Belgaum’s name had been pending since October 27, 2006.
Courtesy:Udayavani