Dharwad: “It is unfortunate that only a handful of women writers have joined the Women Anti-harassment Federation which has been in existence for the last five years. It is the responsibility of the women writers to pitch their voice against the injustice meted to women in the community”, stated Sabiha Bhumigoud, Vice-Chancellor of Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijaypura.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 37th anniversary of the Uttar Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha and Endowment Award presentation ceremony in Dharwad, she said that the women writers’ forum had to broaden its horizons and guide the new generation of writers to ink about social issues, which can provide a solution to the burning problems in the society. “This apart, they should also give a boost to contemporary political, social and cultural movements”, she said.
Sangha President Hema Pattenshetti who presided over the inaugural function said, “Writers out number readers in the present context. This apart, the award list too, has swollen.” Expressing her views about today’s writers, she said that the youth today were being treated as money-making machines instead of developing their overall personality.
“Strengthening the bond between mankind and their native language, culture and tradition is the need of the hour. Unfortunately, the youth are developing an affinity to the machines. In the long run, this will have a serious impact on human behaviour”, she said.
Awards
On the occasion, the Shantadevi Kanavi Novel Award was given to Tulasi Venugopal, the Komaladevi Literature Saraswati was awarded to Prof. H M Belagi, and the Dr. Lata Rajshekar, Poetry award was given to K N Lavanyaprabha.
Sunanda Kadame, Dr. Vinaya Vakkund and others were present at the function.