The Hindu : Karnataka News : Preparations for Kannada literary conference going on smoothly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Preparations for Kannada literary conference going on smoothly

Staff Correspondent

The emphasis will be on promoting book culture; meeting begins on December 12

It has been decided to hold 23 ‘goshtis’ on 23 topics and publish 80 books
Nine universities invited to display and sell books at concessional rates

WITHOUT HITCH: Work is going on briskly at the venue of 74th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Udupi.

Udupi: Preparations for the 74th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan to be held in Udupi from December 12 to December 15 are going on smoothly.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Thursday, President of the Udupi District Kannada Sahitya Parishath U.C. Holla said that it had been decided to hold 23 “goshtis” (discussions) on 23 topics. The emphasis at this sammelan would be more on promoting “book culture”.

As many as 80 books would be published at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh. These books would be sold at concessional rates. These books would also be donated to schools and colleges.

He said that the reception committee for the sammelan had written to nine universities in the State and had invited them to display and sell books published by them. They would be given free stalls at the venue. Free lodging and boarding would be provided to those manning the bookstalls of these universities.

The universities had also promised him that they would be selling their books at concessional rates.

As many as 10 stalls showcasing the history and culture of the State would be set up by the Department of Tourism. A one-day package tour programme had been devised for those intending to visit the temples and other tourist spots in the district.

These package tours would be in four different routes. An art exhibition would be held during the sammelan.

Mr. Holla said that nearly 60 per cent of work on the “mantapa”, where the sammelan would be held, had been completed.

The decoration of the “mantapa” would be taken up at a later date. The full-fledged “mantapa” would be ready by December 8.

Nearly 3,000 NSS volunteers, 200 Bharat Seva Dal volunteers, and 500 volunteers from the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project would render services at the sammelan.

A sum of Rs. 1 crore had been allotted by the Government for the sammelan. An additional amount of Rs. 80 lakh was being raised from other sources for the sammelan.

To give the delegates and participants a taste of the unique Udupi style of cuisine, some commercial stalls would be set up near the venue of the sammelan.

Nearly 50,000 persons were expected to have their lunch daily at the sammelan, he said.

A health check-up centre and an information centre would be set up at the venue, Mr. Holla added.

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