The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Felicitation to a farmer and innovative thinker

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Felicitation to a farmer and innovative thinker

Special Correspondent

Shamanna thought of setting up libraries in all villages in the State
The idea was later adopted by the Government

Bangalore: Kadidal Shamanna is a well-known farmer leader of Karnataka and is associated with several progressive movements in the Malnad region. But, what is his connection with the libraries in the State?

Not many remember that the idea of opening a library in every village in Karnataka was first thought of by him. He started a movement that went with the slogan “A toilet for every home, a library for every village” and doggedly tried to implement it in the villages in Malnad in the 1980s. This seed of an idea was later adopted by the Government, and about 3,500 panchayats in Karnataka today have libraries attached. As a mark of appreciation for this pioneering work, Mr. Shamanna will be felicitated by workers of the central and panchayat libraries on September 30 in Bangalore.

Well-known historian and an old associate of Shamanna, S. Settar, says this is a long-awaited tribute to a man who shuns publicity and positions. “He is a quiet man who does not stop at thinking of an idea, but works incessantly towards making it a reality,” says Prof. Settar, recalling Mr. Shamanna’s untiring work in the villages. Mr. Shamanna having agreed to come for the felicitation is a rare thing in itself, adds Prof. Settar, who is currently president of the Book Selection Committee for libraries in Karnataka.

Mr. Shamanna will be felicitated at Granthangana, City Central Library, Hampi Nagar (near Vijayanagar) at 4.30 p.m. The felicitation will be followed by a seminar on “The importance of libraries in villages.”

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