Banjagere Jayaprakash, chairman of the Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, on Friday expressed regret over the decline in the reading habit among youths.
Mr. Jayaprakash was speaking after inaugurating Kannada Nudi Habba, a book exhibition organised by Sirigannada Pustakamane, a publishing house, as part of its decennial celebrations here.
He said, the electronic media had a strong sway over the youths and there were few takers for literary works. There had been a significant change in the lifestyle, attitude and tastes of youths. Kannada writers should re-think on their strategies, including the narration pattern and choice of theme, to reach out to young readers, he said.
He stressed the need to promote reading habit to create a progressive and a healthy society.
Book exhibitions should be organised on the campuses of educational institutions at regular intervals, he said.
D. Manjunath, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit, said in his address that book exhibitions should not be confined to urban areas. Books on issues related to agriculture, ecology, food, culture and folklore should be published in large numbers in Kannada language, he said.
Sundar, director of Sirigannada Pustakamane, members of Shivamogga City Corporation Gopalakrishna and Nagaraj Kankari were present.
