A team of representatives of different media and students of journalism had an interaction with Rao at his residence.
Umesh Rao, aged 65 years, has a collection of over 3,000 newspapers and magazines from India and other countries. Majority of the titles are from Kannada, including the launching issues of different journals. A copy of ‘Christa Sabha Patra’ (1884), for instance, is one of the oldest issues in the collection of Rao, who is also a progressive farmer.
Responding to the honour offered by journalists, Rao said there is a need for organising a comprehensive exhibition of newspapers at the district and state-levels. He said his collections are open for researchers, students, teachers and any interested individual.
“The value of the collection increases only when it is used by more and more people,” he observed. Rao regretted that newspapers with leaning towards caste and individuals are on rise in the recent years.
Rao worked for SDPT Pre-University College in Kateel for 35 years and retired as its Vice Principal. Information Department Assistant Director K Rohini felicitated Rao. DKUWJ General Secretary Guruvappa T N Balepuni and Vice President Ramakrishna R were present.
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