From Personal Challenge to Public Mission: How Sakshi Baid is Making Kannada Accessible to Millions

When Sakshi Baid moved to Bengaluru three years ago for her engineering degree, she faced a common struggle - feeling disconnected due to not knowing the local language. Rather than accepting this barrier, she transformed it into purpose.

Starting her handle Morethankannadagottila in February 2024, Sakshi has amassed over 392,000 followers by creating practical, engaging content that teaches Kannada through everyday moments. Her approach differs from traditional methods - she captures real interactions with autorickshaw drivers and shopkeepers, bridging the gap between formal written Kannada and conversational speech.

Today, Sakshi is channeling her platform into a paid ed-tech course teaching foundation-level Kannada. She remains selective about brand partnerships, prioritizing purpose over scale. Her audience spans non-Kannadigas in Karnataka and abroad, including NRIs seeking cultural connection, alongside native Kannadigas who support her mission with encouragement.

Her message to aspiring creators is straightforward: start without overthinking. Through her work, Sakshi has proven that language learning transcends utility - it builds community, fosters belonging, and bridges diverse backgrounds.