Mysore/Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath said that the website of ‘Prasaranga,’ the University’s Publication Wing, would soon be launched in order to expand reader base globally.

He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day ‘Prasaranga Pustakotsava-2025,’ the Book Fair organised by Prasaranga at its premises in Manasagangothri here yesterday.

Maintaining that Poet Laureate Kuvempu had dreamt of Prasaranga, he said that the Publication Wing has grown into a huge tree since its inception. But it had to face a setback due to advent of the digital era which resulted in the decline of book purchasers, he said.

“Many books with price ranging from a few paisa and rupees to thousands of rupees are available at Prasaranga. The Book Fair has been organised in order to reach out these books to the people. Kuvempu used to frequently visit this Prasaranga after retirement. He also played a vital role in Prasaranga making a mark at the global level. It was reading that made Kuvempu a great personality,” he observed.

Noting that efforts are being made to make Prasaranga more active, he said that the University is discussing on newer possibilities and opportunities for Prasaranga. Soon a new website would be launched in order to make books available online as well. The works on the website is near complete and readers can buy books online as well, he said.

University Registrar M.K. Savitha said, it is a matter of pride that the Prasaranga, which was meant for book works, got a beautiful and vast building during the times of Kuvempu. Now, everyone should strive together for saving this prestigious wing of the University for future generations, she pointed out.

Prasaranga Director Prof. Nanjaiah Honganur said, there was a need for carrying out a survey on the volumes of Epigraphy of Karnataka. The Pustakotsava has been organised in order to sensitise the younger generation on our ancient manuscripts and epigraphs, he added.

Retired employees of Prasaranga — Dasegowda, Linganna, K.S. Ramaseshan, T. Kamalamma, G. Sridevi. D.T. Eregowda and Kumar — were felicitated on the occasion.

Kannada & Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, former Prasaranga Directors K.T. Veerappa and Prof. S. Lakshminarayan Arora were present.