Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Apr 3: "I am a Kannadiga. Mangalore is my birth place.  I grew up in Mumbai.  So there is a relationship between where I was born and where I grew up.  Freedom of expression is closer to my heart.  It is a basic need of a democratic country.  It is questionable as to how does it gets misused in Government, religion and business.  It is surprising that it endangers the unity and integrity of the country, said Karnataka state chief minister's advisor Dinesh Amin Mattu.

Dinesh Amin was speaking on freedom of expression and culture as the subject after lighting the lamp and inaugurating the ninth literary cultural conference held by Karnataka Sangha Mumbai under the aegis of Karnataka government Kannada department of culture, Bangalore.  He continued to add that character of the media is being faithful but social media have increased curiosity and created havoc in it, he said.

The two days programme was held at Dr Vishweswaraya hall at Mahim.  Itwas presided over by senior litterateur Dr S G Siddaramayya.  The annual award that is awarded by the sangha in memory of Dr Sunitha M Shetty, was presented this year to well known litterateur Banu Mushtaq who was felicitated.

Karnataka Sangha president Prakash G Burde welcomed and gave an introductory speech.  Vice president Dr Bharathkumar Polipu introduced the guests and compered the programme.  Malathi Chandrakanth and Lalitha Angadi also introduced the guests.  President Burde and treasurer N M Gudi felicitated the guests with shawls. Honorary secretary Omdas Kannangar proposed vote of thanks.

Sai International Bangalore troupe presented a dancing skit by Chaitali M and group. The skit was created by Jnana Peeta award winning poets and directed by Suvarna Venkatesh.