JOIN USSahitya Sammelana returns to Bangalore
Home Minister R Ashok, who is the chairman of the welcome committee of the 77th edition of the Sammelana, held a preliminary meeting with elected representative of Bangalore and officials of the Kannada and Culture department to chalk out the logistics of the three-day mega event.
Ashok said around five lakh people are likely to attend the event. The committee zeroed in on National College Grounds as the venue in view of its proximity to several auditoria and marriage halls.
While literary seminars will be held at the auditoria, the marriage halls will be turned into dormitories for the delegates. The main dais for the convention will be set up at National College Grounds.
The minister said the state government is likely to sanction a grant of Rs 1.5 crore for the conference. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will provide Rs one crore, while the state government employees working in Bangalore Urban District have decided to contribute a day’s salary. Ministers and legislators of Bangalore have decided to contribute a month’s salary.
The sammelana president will be selected next month by executive committee members of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Ashok said the state government plans to construct a memorial in Bangalore to mark the return of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana to the State Capital after a gap of 40 years.
The State Government is looking at contribution from IT and BT companies in Bangalore to fund the construction of the memorial. Kannada Development Authority Chairman Mukhyamantri Chandru said Kannada awareness jathas will be held in all Assembly segments of Bangalore in December.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Nalluru Prasad said the Parishat has brought out a revised edition of a eight-volume Kannada dictionary that is out of print since 1993. The comprehensive dictionary running into 10,000 pages will be launched by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on October 1. The dictionary set will cost Rs 2,800.