The 84th All-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan should explore ways of creating awareness and achieving progress through literature, said district in-charge Minister R.V. Deshpande on Tuesday.

Speaking to presspersons after inspecting the arrangements made for the mega literary event at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UAS-D), he said the sammelan should not end up as just another event. Instead, the government expects experts and resource persons taking part in various technical sessions to deliberate upon issues troubling the nation and suggest corrective measures. As this literary festival is being held in north Karnataka, the issues troubling people in the region and measures to combat them need to be discussed.

To a query, Mr. Deshpande reiterated that the government was committed to providing all help, including financial support, for the smooth conduct of the event. “Once the government gave its approval to go ahead, it was our duty to abide by our words. The government has already released ₹8 crore for this purpose, and it will reimburse all the expenses on the sammelan,” he said.

Mr. Deshpande expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the sammelan venue here. He inspected the facilities provided to house book stalls, the kitchen, and dining hall, and and instructed officials to ensure there is be no confusion. Mr. Deshpande also released video footage made by one Vijet Hosmath on the occasion.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) president Manu Baligar said several technical sessions on key issues would be held during the sammelan. The KSP will also bring out a book on the outcome of the deliberations at the sessions.

Holiday

The Deputy Commissioner has issued orders declaring holiday on January 4 and 5 for all educational institutions in the district. This is to allow students to take part in the sahitya sammelan, a release said.