##### 16th National Children’s Literature Conference to be Held in Udaipur on 24th August

Udaipur/Kota, The 16th National Children’s Literature Conference, organized by Salila Sanstha, is scheduled for Sunday, 24th August at the auditorium of the Directorate of Education, Rajasthan Agricultural University campus, Udaipur. The central theme of the conference will be “The Interconnection Between Children’s Songs and the Child’s Mind: Reflection and Analysis”. The inaugural session will feature keynote remarks by Jayanti Ranganathan, former Executive Editor of Hindustan newspaper. The conference will be formally inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, Vice-Chancellor of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology.

Honors and Awards
Dr. Vimla Bhandari, President of Salila Sanstha, announced that seven distinguished literary figures will be conferred with the Salila Literature Alankaran Award for their remarkable contributions. The top ten winners of the children’s song-writing competition will also be recognized. Additionally, the annual journal ‘Salil Pravah’ will be launched, alongside seven books, including Dr. Bhandari’s travel literature title “America Se Mulakat”, and one magazine. Reviews of the newly released books will also be conducted. A paper reading on “The Magic of Riddles on the Child’s Mind” will be part of the program, followed by a children’s poetry symposium before the closing session.

The sessions will be skillfully moderated by renowned lyricist and anchor Shakuntala Sarupparia, with coordination by children’s authors Prakash Tated and Vimla Nagla.

Participation Across States
Professor Vimal Sharma, Media In-Charge, informed that children’s writers from seven states – Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan – as well as ten districts of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Ajmer, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, and Salumber, will participate in this one-day event. The children’s poetry symposium will feature readings by 20 creative writers.

Awardees

Salila Shikhar Samman: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Delhi

Salila Vishisht Sahityakar Samman: Dr. Suraj Singh Negi & Dr. Meena Sirola, Jaipur

Salila Sahitya Ratna Samman: Zeeshan Haider Zaidi, Lucknow; Meenu Tripathi, Noida; Lal Devendra Kumar Srivastava, Basti; Dr. Prabhat Kumar Singhal, Kota

Children’s Songwriting Competition – Top 10 Winners
Yashpal Sharma (Pahuna), Faheem Ahmed (Sambhal), Neelam Mukesh Verma (Jhunjhunu), Yogendra Maurya (Jaunpur), Balvir Singh (Sirsa), Anita Gangadhar (Ajmer), Kanhaiyalal Sahu (Bhatapara), Bhaurao Mahant (Balaghat), Vinita Kabra (Jaipur), Neeraj Shastri (Mathura)

Book Launches
The event will also see the unveiling of the annual issue of ‘Salil Pravah’, along with the books: Geet Suhane Bachpan Ke, America Se Mulakat, Kahani Wala Shankh, Boojh Saheli, Meri Paheli, Nache, Khele, Mauj Karein Hum, Khel Raha Abhinav Boondon Sang, Bhavon Ki Sarita, and The Underline (Special Issue on Children’s Literature).

The conference promises an enriching experience for all literary enthusiasts, providing a platform to explore, celebrate, and foster the imaginative world of children’s literature.