Udupi: Young writers converge at literary convention in Barkur
Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jan 15: "Extracurricular activities help in the overall development of children. If the seed of literature is sown at a young age, it grows throughout one's life giving strength and confidence. Academics give knowledge and extracurricular activities impart wisdom," said renowned poet and lyricist Dr Jayant Kaikini.
Kaikini was speaking after inaugurating the 14th Children’s Literary Conference and a personality development yoga camp at Barkur here on Tuesday, January 14.
The conference was held under the aegis of Shantivana Trust, Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, education departments of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district panchayat, branches of Sri Ramakrishnashrama, Barkuronline.com, Srimathi Rukmini Shedthy Memorial First Grade College, Barkur with the blessings of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.
"Though children are innocent, they can perceive cheating and deception in adults. Though they can bear pressure from parents and teachers for each mark to a certain extent, they ultimately retaliate. Literature helps them sooth their tension," said Dr Kaikini.
"Children should not be made bookworms alone. They should continue to read, and write what they find worth writing and analyze it. It spreads the flavour of language along with the flavour of culture and makes the formation of a civilized society possible," said president of the conference Akshaya Hegde of Udupi Olakadu Government High School.
Udupi zilla panchayat president Upendra Nayak released a series of poems written by the children. Guests Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues, winner of Central Sahitya Academy Award, former zilla panchayat president B Bhujanga Shetty, district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Neelavar Surendra Adiga and Udupi taluk panchayat president Gauri V Poojary conveyed their best wishes to the programme
Organizers B Seetharama Tholpadithaya, I Shashikanth Jain, C Rajashekar Hebbar, B Srinivas Shettigar, K Satyanarayana Udupa, Kishore Gonsalves, Ashoka C Poojary, Balakrishna Rekhya and others were present.
National poet late Dr G S Shivarudrappa was remembered earlier in the programme. Former conference president Karthik Shetty welcomed and chief organizer Ramabhatta Sajangadde delivered the keynote address. Prakash Hebbar, Prathvi and Radhika conducted the programme.