Kannada awareness, cultural fest for people of border areas in Belagavi on October 18

In an effort to express solidarity with Kannadigas residing in border districts, a programme on ‘Kannada awareness and cultural fest in the border region’ will be held in Belagavi, Karnataka on October 18.

General Secretary of Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha (KVS) Shankar Halagatti told press persons in Dharwad on October 16 that the programme is being held in the Shivakumar Sambaragimath auditorium of S.G Balekundri Institute of Technology in Belagavi. It is being jointly organised by the KVS, Karnataka Border Area Development Authority, and Rudrakshi Mutt, Naganur, Belagavi.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil will inaugurate the event at 10 a.m. in the presence of Siddharamaa Swami of Gadag Tontadardya Mutt. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi will release the Sangha’s annual report while Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar will unveil a booklet introducing the Sangha.

MP Jagadish Shettar, Karnataka Border Area Development Authority Chairperson Somanna Bevinmarad, and Working President of the Sangha Basavaprabhu Hosakeri will address the gathering. MLA Asif Sait will preside over the programme.

The inaugural programme would be followed by a session on issues and challenges faced by Kannadigas and a poets’ meet. The valedictory ceremony would be held at 4.15 p.m. Writer Basavaraj Jagajampi would deliver the valedictory address, Mr. Halagatti said.

He said that 13 Kannada activists from the border regions would be honoured during the valedictory session.