Literary fest has hardly any takers

The hosts organised pooja kunita, dollu kunita, raja-rani bombe and kaadukuruba attire as part of the inaugural ceremony. However, other than the students, just about 200 people attended the inauguration or the programme.

Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena inaugurated the Sammelana by hoisting the flag. The hosts, however, had not taken care to ensure the arrival of Kotiganahalli Ramaiah, the president of the fest.

The inaugural procession commenced in the absence of the president, with MLC
Prof S R Leela and Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president K Prahlad Rao flagging off the walk.

Promised snacks at the venue, many children are said to have participated in the procession on an empty stomach. As a result some of the children swooned on the streets.

Ramaiah criticised politicians for absenting themselves from important social meetings like the literary fest. MLA Varthur Prakash missed the recent taluk-level literary fest in Kolar. On Saturday, the District In-charge Minister of Kolar, A Narayanaswamy, failed to attend the inauguration.

The book stalls set up at the fest too were managed poorly.

Although two stalls were booked, the organisers rented them to others, much to the chagrin of the book shop owners. The stalls lacked enough tables to place the books, forcing the sellers to place some books on the ground.