Shanthi Prakashana Blossoms Kannada Literature at Sharjah International Book Fair-2017
Sharjah/UAE: Shanthi Prakashana, A publication house that Karnataka takes pride in is taking part in the Sharjah international book fair from 1st to 11th of November. It is a great news for UAE Kannadigas who are readers of Kannada literature and an inspiration to others to begin the habit of reading.
Every year Sharjah government organizes this International Book Fair event in the first ten days of November. Ruler of Sharjah, HH Dr Shaik Sulthan Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi is a motivational force behind this Exhibition. For the 36th year, this book fair was inaugurated. Book lovers & literature from all over the world are heading to Sharjah. It was in 1982 that this book fair was first held and today it ranks 3rd in the world.
Shanthi Prakashana publishes books on different features Including religious, social, political, economic and cultural themes. Till date, it has more than 280 books. Three mobile literature vans are moving throughout the streets over Karnataka to spread human values and establish an atmosphere of unity and brotherhood. At the inaugural ceremony of Shanthi bookstall, the founder, president and Managing director of Gulf Medical College, Ajman and Thumbay group – Thumbay Moideen said Shanthi Prakashana is the one and only Kannada publisher out of 1650 publishers from around the world participating in this book fair and its a really proud moment for every NRI Kannadigas living in and outside UAE.
President of Abu Dhabi Kannada Sangha Sarvotthama Shetty wished by these words, ‘Shanthi Prakashana is a value based publication house. It should grow higher`. In the meantime, Sarvotham Shetty also released the new book titled “Sneha Samvada”. The occasion was also a platform for many book releases as did the vice president of Bearys cultural forum (BCF), Dubai, M.E Muloor released the book titled “Makkala Tarabeti hege”. While the president of Bearys welfare forum Abudhabi, Mohammed Ali Uchil released the book written by A K Kukkila, the editor of Sanmarga Kannada weekly. “Enne battida Lateenu” was the title. Another book titled “Qur aanina baduku” was released by the president of Kannada Sangha, Sharjah Sundar Raj Bekal.
‘There is no fable in Shanthi`s publications. Mutual understanding between religion will eradicate disbelief and promote space for human values which is the ultimate goal of Shanthi Prakashana through literature. There are three mobile vans that are moving throughout Karnataka with Shanthi’s literature to spread peace and harmony said Abdul Salam U in his speech.
This remarkable occasion was attended by many prominent NRI figures of this south Indian state Arif Shareef, Abdul Qadeer, BCF Dubai vice-president Abdul Lateef Mulki, Noel D Almeda from Konkani Sahitya Parishat, Kannada writer Irshad Moodbidri, Noor Ashfak Karkala, Ismail Balehonnuur, Abdul Rasheed V.K, Riyaz C.A Puttur were present as guests of honour.
Convener of Shanthi book stall Abdul Salam Deralakatte recited the verses from Holy Quran along with Kannada and English translation and Abdul Khadar Kukkaje compared the programme.