Writer Latha Rajashekar on Monday urged the State government to work towards finding a permanent solution to farmers’ problems by consulting agriculture experts despite making efforts to address their despair by announcing various benefits. The government has also hiked compensation to the next kin of the deceased farmers.
Expressing her gratitude to the government for making the Dasara festivities “farmer-centric”, Dr. Rajashekar complimented the government for getting the age-old festivities inaugurated by a progressive farmer.
Speaking after inaugurating the Dasara Poets’ Meet, she said poets, writers and scholars participating in the meet will become the voice of farmers. “I’m sure the ongoing efforts in making Dasara a farmer-centric event will build the morale of farmers. I congratulate the government for its resolve,” she said.
The three-day poets’ meet will have separate sessions to discuss farmers and their problems.
Dr. Rajashekar said the participants of the meet would be explaining the life and problems faced by farmers from their perspective. They will be presenting a picture on the life of farmers, which, on many occasions, had inspired writers in coming up with their works.
“The nationalist fervor among farmers, the backbone of this country, is absolute. Their sacrifices are incredible,” she said.
Advising writers and poets to bring humanity in their works, she said their literary works should look beyond religion, caste, creed and colour. Humanity should be the basic essence of literary works. Any work without humankind becomes meaningless no matter how interesting it is. Literary works should have the power that spread the message of equality and harmony, she suggested. Minister in-charge of Mysuru district V. Sreenivas Prasad was the special invitee and noted poet K.B. Siddaiah was the chief guest. Poets and literary personalities from across the State are attending the three-day meet.
Killing condemned
Dr. Rajashekar condemned the killing of eminent researcher and scholar M.M. Kalburgi. “There is no death to literature and the litterateur’s thoughts,” she said.  Saying that writers, poets and progressive groups have protested against the brutal murder of Dr. Kalburgi, Dr. Rajashekar lamented about the situation in which writers and poets, who are the voices of the public, have to carry on with their life under police protection.

Source : The Hindu