Decks have been cleared for holding the 84th All-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in January, 2019, at the University of Agricultural Sciences – Dharwad (UAS-D) campus here as the consensus on finalising the venue was arrived at a meeting of the writers, academicians and eminent persons convened by Deputy Commissioner M. Deepa on Wednesday.
As veteran journalist Patil Puttappa and others insisted on holding the event at Karnatak College Dharwad (KCD) grounds considering its historical importance, it was decided that the sammelan procession would begin from the KCD grounds and other events including the inauguration would be held at UAS-D campus. It was also decided to set up the Sahitya Sammelan memorial at KCD grounds.
Senior Kannada writers, academicians, office-bearers of Kannada organisations and others gave their consent after the Deputy Commissioner and the police officials apprised them about the merits and demerits of holding this event at UAS-D, Karnatak College Dharwad (KCD) grounds and on the Karnatak University Dharwad (KUD) campus. Later, Ms. Deepa told presspersons that the district administration was eager to hold the mega literary event at the KCD grounds that is celebrating its centenary. However, distribution of food and traffic management was the main challenge. Considering the possibilities of huge inflow of people to the event, it was noted that preparation and distribution of food and streamlining the traffic flow would be a big challenge. Therefore, the officials preferred UAS-D campus over other two venues to hold this event. UAS-D campus would be ideal location for this event, considering the availability of space, halls, parking lots and other facilities at a single property, she said.
Free bus service
Replying to queries, Ms. Deepa said that to overcome the distance issue, the district administration would arrange free bus facilities to the venue from selected pick-up points. Apart from running 50 NWKRTC buses, the Chigari buses engaged in BRTS service would also be extended up to UAS-D. Elaborate lighting and security arrangements would be made on the UAS-D campus and works of the roads leading to the venue too would be completed shortly, she said.
