Is Kannada Slowly Fading?

I’ve noticed an alarming trend in our Hubli — Kannada is gradually being replaced by Hindi, especially among kids. It first struck me when my young cousin, a first or second grader, was chatting with his classmate in Hindi. When I asked why, he said, “Everyone in my class speaks in Hindi.”

This isn’t limited to schools. At BVB and other PUC colleges, most conversations I hear are in Hindi. Even on local FM stations, RJs barely speak Kannada, and Kannada songs are rare — one out of five at best.

It feels like Hubli is becoming another Bangalore, where Kannada is seen as less important. What worries me most is how fast this shift is happening. In a few years, our younger generation may stop speaking Kannada entirely, thinking it’s inferior.

I know this sounds like a rant, but it’s something we can’t ignore. Have you noticed this too?