Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in December

MANGALORE: The Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, the most prestigious literary event of the year in the state, will be held between December 4 and 7 at the sprawling Swaraj Maidan in Moodabidri.
Briefing reporters here on preparations and modalities of the mega-event, state president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Harikrishna Punaroor said, the 71st conference was all set to be a model, addressing the aspirations of crores of Kannadigas in and outside the state.
Elaborating on preparations, he said, due to the conduct of Paryaya celebrations in Udupi in January next year, it was decided to organise the Sahitya Sammelana during the first week of December this year.
Asked about the much-debated issue of nominating the chairperson for the meet, Punaroor said, the executive committee of the Parishat would meet in November to select a person.
He tossed a few names like litterateurs Nissar Ahmed, L.S. Sheshagiri Rao for the post. To the demand that women litterateurs should also be considered for the chair, be said, all this would be discussed at the November meeting.
The Karnataka government has sanctioned Rs 15 lakh for the Sammelana, and the Parishat has already submitted a memorandum to chief minister Krishna to enhance the amount, he said.
The meet will be inaugurated by the chief minister.
On the occasion, the working president of the reception committee of the four-day event, Moodabidri MLA, Abhayachandra Jain said efforts were on to make the event memorable.
Efforts are also on to realise the dream of constructing a Kannada Bhavan at Moodabidri.
Secretary of the reception committee and president of Mangalore Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Dr Mohan Alva said, as many as 27 committees comprising over 500 people from all walks of life, have been formed for smooth conduct of the conference.