Mysuru: A three-day 13th International Conference of South Asian Languages and Literature (ICOSAL-13) organised jointly by Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and Indian Institute of Language Studies, Delhi, will be held from Jan. 8 to 10 at the Conference Hall of CIIL here.

Disclosing this at a press meet at the Conference Hall, CIIL Director Prof. D.G. Rao said that the Conference to be inaugurated at 10 am on Jan. 8 would focus on the similarities and differences between languages, cultures and literature of South Asia. He added that papers would be presented on various topics of linguistics.

He further said that about 200 delegates from Russia, United States of America, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, India and other countries would be attending the conference.

He said that former MP and Member of Kendriya Hindi Samithi Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad would be the chief guest and Honorary Professor of Moscow State University, Russia, Boris A. Zakharyin as the guest of honour.

Prof. Rao said that the proposed Classical Kannada Centre would be established in Mysuru as affirmed by the Chief Minister. He observed that owing to shortage of translators, the growth of languages get hampered.

ICOSAL-13 Organising Secretary Prof. Umarani Pappuswamy and Joint Organising Secretary Dr. L. Ramamurthy were present at the press meet.