Geeta Nagabhushan chosen president

HUBLI: Senior feminist writer Geetha Nagabhushan has been selected president of the 76th all-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana scheduled for February 19, 20 and 21.
Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Nallur Prasad announced her choice after the Parishat executive committee meeting. He said the committee considered other names of M Chidananda Murthy, M M Kalburgi, Latha Rajashekar, Vaidehi and G Venkatasubbaiah."After a long discussion, we decided on Geetha Nagbhushan's name," he told `The Times of India' over phone.
The Gulbarga-based writer has written novels, poetry, drama and essays. However, she is known for her thought-provoking writing on feminist thoughts.
The 68-year-old retired schoolteacher has written 31 books. Her novel `Baduku' was selected for a Kendra Sahitya Academy award. Two of her novels were made into Kannada films. Her latest novel `Kage Muttitu' has been well received by critics and readers.
This is the first time in the Kannada Sahitya Parishat's 90-year history that a writer from Gulbarga has been chosen Sammelana president. Of the 76 Sammelanas, 11 have been held in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Geetha has served as the president of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy earlier. She is a recipient of the Nadoja award instituted by Hampi Kannada University. Gulbarga University has presented her with a honorary doctorate.
Geeta said she was "very happy" on being selected Sammelana president. "I never expected it. This is an honour for all the writers and artistes from the HK region," she said. She hoped the Sammelana does not limit itself to to literature. "Serious issues like economic and social neglect of HK region and amendment of Article 371 of the Constitution to include this region should be discussed there," she added.