To promote reading culture among the youth, the Kannada Book Authority has planned to establish ‘Pustaka Premi Vidyarthi Balaga’ in all government and aided degree colleges in the State.
Speaking to press persons here on Monday, Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash, Authority Chairman, said that over the years, there has been a significant increase in the publication of Kannada books. In contrast the number of readers was dwindling.
“Reading habit was evident among people above 40 years of age and not among the youngsters. This may be due to the advancement in the field of information and technology. Keeping all these aspects in view and to promote reading culture among the new generation, the Authority had come out with this new idea of establishing the ‘balaga’ in all the colleges”, he said.
According to him, the authority plans, to start with, set up around 100 ‘balagas’ which had to be managed by the students themselves under the guidance of the Principals. The Authority would allocate Rs. 5,000 a month (for about six to eight months in an academic year) to each ‘balaga’ to create a cultural atmosphere by organising functions connected with literature, hold discussions, symposiums, seminars, competitions among the students about the books they had read. “Apart from this we also want to introduce another competition for students titled ‘naanu mechchida pustaka’ and the student who gives a best presentation would be given a certificate”, he added.
To a question, he said that the response for the proposed plan has been very encouraging. Already around 53 applications have been received. The last date for receiving the applications from other colleges has been extended upto January 30, he said.
He also informed that similar attempts would also be planned at the Pre-University level and also at the High School levels, depending upon the resources available.
Yuva Sahitya Sammelana
In order to encourage young writers (below 35 years), the Authority had also planned to organise Yuva Sahitya Sammelana during the ‘pustaka melas’.
Mr. Jayaprakash, answering another question, said that he had introduced several measures to bring in transparency in the selection of books for bulk purchase, curbing misuse of the scheme, lobbying among other things and accord top priority to procure books with true substance and quality.
