At Kasturba Medical College (KMC) in Mangaluru, medical students are responding positively to a new directive mandating proficiency in Kannada, which is crucial for effective clinical practice. Dr. B Unnikrishnan, the dean, emphasized that understanding Kannada is vital for students to interact with patients effectively. This requirement was introduced by the district surgeon to address communication gaps at Wenlock District Hospital, where many doctors are from Karnataka. KMC has incorporated Kannada classes into its curriculum for the past 10 to 15 years, ensuring that all students, including those from different parts of India, receive language training from their first year. The college has a total of 250 seats, with 80-100 students hailing from Karnataka. Special Kannada classes focus on communication and basic writing skills, supported by in-house Kannada instructors and English-to-Kannada learning materials. Additionally, nearly 90-95% of the faculty are Kannada-speaking, facilitating a supportive learning environment. The college also promotes Kannada through events like Kannada Diwasa, further enhancing students' engagement with the language and culture.