Record registration of literature lovers likely

Mysuru: The 83rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana beginning in city tomorrow is likely to see a record registration of nearly 13,000 literature lovers from all over the country, said Registration Committee President H.A. Venkatesh.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday at the mega stage that has come up on the sprawling Maharaja’s College grounds, he said that in the 77th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Bengaluru about 11,000 people had registered. Recently, in the 81st Sammelana at Shravanabelagola 10,000 had registered.

However, in the Sammelana here in city, including littérateurs, Kannada lovers and other language people, already 10,893 have registered by paying a registration fee of Rs.250 each. Since there is just a day left before the Sammelana begins, there is a possibility of about 13,000 people registering. And this is likely to be the most attended Sammelana in its history, he said.

On the instructions of District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, the delegates to the Sammelana can register till the last moment. Mysore District, which is hosting the Sammelana has seen the highest registration of 2175 so far. This is followed by Bengaluru City-732, Tumkuru-600, Dharwad-500, Koppal-490 and Davangere District-500, he said.

Kit distribution

Kits containing bag, pen, writing pad, badge and food coupons will be distributed to the delegates who have registered. 30 counters have been opened to distribute the kits and food coupons from 8.30 am to 6 pm at the Maharaja’s College Grounds to the delegates.

A total of 200 people belonging to the Social Welfare Department and teachers from Morarji Desai Residential Schools have been deployed for registration purposes. Apart from this, attendance certificate will be given to those government and non-government officials who are participating in the Sammelana. According to the Government Order, schools and colleges have been closed, said Venkatesh.

Delegates start arriving

Nearly 1,000 delegates from Bijapur, Raichur, Bagalkot, Dakshina Kannada and other places have already arrived this afternoon. Many among them are aged. Even as the delegates are descending on the city, the last minute touches are still being given to the books and other stalls. The stall owners were seen patiently waiting to unload their goods and start displaying.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner T. Yogesh and Assistant Commissioner Shivegowda were in charge of registration counters. They were seen guiding the Revenue Officers to allot rooms to the delegates. Most of the delegates have been accommodated in Morarji Desai Residential Schools today and arrangements have been made to ferry them from the venue to the rooms  in KSRTC buses.