Ongole book festival inaugurated
Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy formally inaugurated the festival by cutting the ribbon.
Following the opening ceremony, dignitaries visited the 34 book stalls featuring over 50,000 book titles from more than 550 publishers. The exhibition offers diverse literature, including novels, stories, general knowledge books, children's literature, puzzles, and spiritual texts, catering to all age groups.
Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao, former MLA and CPI State Secretary K Ramakrishna, MLC Pothula Sunita, and others participated in the programme.
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Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Ongole Book Festival attracts people of all ages
Ongole: The third day of the Ongole Book Festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from readers on Sunday. Being a holiday, parents, teachers, and students attended in large numbers, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the book stalls. Children's storybooks and activity books emerged as major attractions, with children eagerly searching for comics and activity materials while parents purchased educational books like atlases and essay writing guides. The National Book Trust (NBT) organised a creative writing workshop from 3 pm, conducted by Manjuluru Krishna Kumari and CA Prasad. Around 40 students participated enthusiastically, with some writing their favourite stories while others drew pictures on their preferred topics. At 5:30 pm, Jana Vijnana Vedika presented an educational magic show that greatly entertained children. The day's highlight was the launch of five new books at 6 pm under NBT's auspices, overseen by NBT officer Pattipaka Mohan. The released titles included Jujurana, Manchi Mitrulu, Shera-Mittu, Bujji Gudlaguba Balu, and Tokala Katha. Joint Collector Ronanki Gopala Krishna attended as the chief guest, while several dignitaries, including AV Pullarao, Dr Nageswarao, and others, participated. Speaking on the occasion, Gopala Krishna observed that books are the actual assets one can gather. He recollected how the book exhibition at Hyderabad made him fall in love with Telugu literature, and how the literature helped him as an option in UPSC. He noted that the book exhibitions in Hyderabad and Vijayawada attract a large footfall, and commended the organisers for holding a similar event in Ongole. Following the book launch, prominent personalities from Prakasam district spoke about books that influenced or inspired them. Monday's programme includes a clay handicraft workshop for children from 2-5 pm, book releases by Visalandhra Book House at 6 pm, and an intellectual discussion on 'Libraries and Society' at 7 pm.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Ongole book festival inaugurated
Ongole: The third Ongole Book Festival commenced grandly on Friday, creating a festive atmosphere for booklovers in the city. The nine-day literary extravaganza is being held at PVR School grounds from August 15-24, operating daily from 2 pm to 9 pm. Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy formally inaugurated the festival by cutting the ribbon. Following the opening ceremony, dignitaries visited the 34 book stalls featuring over 50,000 book titles from more than 550 publishers. The exhibition offers diverse literature, including novels, stories, general knowledge books, children's literature, puzzles, and spiritual texts, catering to all age groups. Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao, former MLA and CPI State Secretary K Ramakrishna, MLC Pothula Sunita, and others participated in the programme.
India Today
09-08-2025
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How should Kerala fund films? Decoding the Adoor Gopalakrishnan row
Celebrated director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's remark that the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) review norms of the Rs 1.5 crore funding for filmmakers from marginalised communities and base it on their merit as well as a three-month-long training in film production has left the cinema fraternity at the concluding ceremony of the Kerala Film Policy conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on August 4, Gopalakrishnan, 84, had suggested that the Kerala government pare down the KSFDC funding for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/women debut filmmakers to Rs 50 lakh and insisted on mandatory training for them before extending the financial has invited strong protests from Dalit organisations, artistes as well as leaders from across political parties for what was construed as casteist remarks. At the conclave itself, the veteran director was challenged by Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Pushpavathy Poypadathu, who was in the audience. Later, Gopalakrishnan apparently even questioned Poypadathu's qualifications for attending the film is vice-chairperson of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi based in Thrissur. 'I respect Adoor Gopalakrishnan as a filmmaker. But his remarks, suggesting that women and the marginalised were receiving undue favours from the government, are deeply rooted in the patriarchal and feudal mindset. So I expressed my objections at the venue itself,' she told INDIA TODAY. While Gopalakrishnan has not taken back his comments, Kerala minister for co-operation, ports and devaswoms V.N. Vasavan sought to cool down matters, saying the director's intent was probably to improve the quality of films made by debut Rs 1.5 crore funding initiative was started by the Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2019 to encourage women filmmakers. It was later extended to filmmakers from marginalised communities. Over the past six years, 10 filmmakers have received support from the government to produce films under the scheme. Among them, six are women. Some of the films have featured in international film festivals and won awards.'Adoor Gopalakrishnan remarked without ascertaining the facts about the funding scheme. The funds are distributed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation after inviting applications and undertaking a four-level screening process,' explained a KSFDC official, who did not wish to be named.'The filmmakers are selected on the basis of script-reading and interview by an eminent jury. The funds are not released to the filmmakers but kept in the KSFDC account, which produces the films,' the official CPI(M) MP K. Radhakrishnan said Gopalakrishnan's views did not go with his stature, condemnation also came from CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan Master, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and state social justice minister R. the same time, veteran filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi defended Gopalakrishnan, saying he was justified in suggesting that eligibility be assessed before granting funds. 'We cannot just give away public money. What is wrong in asking that funds be provided after giving them (filmmakers) necessary training?' said the police have provided security to Gopalakrishnan after Dalit organisations organised a protest parade outside his home in Thiruvananthapuram. Dalit activist Dinu Veyil filed a police complaint against the director, alleging he had insulted the Dalit community and women with his public statements, but the police decided not to register a case after seeking legal to India Today Magazine- Ends
