Canadian MP Speaks Kannada In Parliament, Greeted with Applause

ONTARIO – Indian Canadian MP, Chandra Arya, on May 19, stole hearts on social media, speaking in his mother tongue Kannada in the Canadian Parliament.

“I spoke in my mother tongue (first language) Kannada in the Canadian parliament. This beautiful language has a long history and is spoken by about 50 million people. This is the first time Kannada is spoken in any parliament in the world outside of India,” said Arya.

“I am happy I have hd the opportunity to speak in my mother tongue Kannada. It is a matter of pride for 5 crore Kannadigas that someone who comes from Sira Taluka in Tumukuru district is speaking in Kannada after getting elected to the Canadian Parliament,” he said in Kannada. His address was greeted with applause from fellow law makers.

Arya is from Tumkur district. After getting an MBA from Dharwad he worked in IT industry before moving to Canada.

He was elected to the parliament as a Liberal party candidate in the 2019 general election to represent the electoral district of Nepean, Ontario. He is aslo the Chair of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber.