Drought: Kannada sahitya sammelana put off

RAICHUR: In view of the severe drought in Raichur and the whole of Hyderabad-Karnataka, the 82nd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana which was scheduled to be held here in October this year has been put off.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the reception committee of the Sammelana chaired by district in-charge minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil. The minister expressed his concern over the plight of the farming community, because of lack of rains and said: “Many organizations have called for postponing the mega event, proposed to be held in the town after a gap of sixty years. Let us respect the sentiments of the people. The state body of Kannada Sahitya Parishat will be asked to hold the event in Raichur itself in 2016."

The district unit of the parishat had begun preparations to ensure a smooth Sammelana with the vast campus of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) chosen as the venue for the event. District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Mahantesh Maski however felt the event could be held in a simple manner instead of on a grandiose scale.

“We have so far held 23 meetings and almost finalized all preparations. There is an opinion that the event could focus on the agri sector which is facing a severe crisis”, he said. District Congress Committee president Vasanth Kumar differed and said: “If the Sammelana dwells on the farm sector, the chances of farmers expressing their anguish against the state government are high. It would not be proper to dwell on the subject at the meet.”

Deodurga MLA A. Venkatesh Naik and Raichur City MLA Shivaraj Patil felt the administration could wait for some more days before taking a final decision as the Sammelana is scheduled to be held in October.

Raichur MP B.V. Naik  said all efforts should be made to organize the Sammelana it in Raichur itself next year.