Mangaluru: The P. P. Gomathi Memorial Education Trust, in collaboration with the Karnataka Theological Research Institute, will host the PP Gomathi Memorial Oration 2024 on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The event will take place at Sahodaya, Mission Compound, Balmatta, Mangaluru.

Dr. Meena Kandasamy, renowned poet, writer, translator, anti-caste activist, and academic, described by The Independent as a "one-woman, agit-prop literary-political movement," will deliver the oration titled Writing as Resistance.

The annual lecture honours the legacy of Prof. P. P. Gomathi, who served as the Principal of Besant College for Women, Mangaluru. Following her retirement in 1984, Prof. Gomathi dedicated herself to the National Women’s Education Society, Mangaluru, until her passing in October 2014. She envisioned a world free from discrimination and believed in incremental efforts to achieve an equitable society. The Trust established in her memory provides scholarships of ₹1,00,000 annually to academically outstanding yet economically underprivileged girl students. It also organises lectures featuring prominent scholars and activists.

Dr. Meena Kandasamy, born in Chennai in 1984, is celebrated for her impactful contributions to literature and activism. Her works, such as The Gypsy Goddess, When I Hit You: Or, The Portrait of the Writer As A Young Wife, and Exquisite Cadavers, have received international acclaim. She has translated key works on Dalit liberation and feminism and recently published The Book of Desire, a feminist reinterpretation of Tamil classical poetry.

Dr. Kandasamy holds a PhD in sociolinguistics and has been recognised globally for her work, including her election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the PEN Hermann Kesten Prize in 2022.

Past speakers at the memorial oration include Dr. G. N. Devy, Prof. Niveditha Menon, and Vidwan T M Krishna. Last year, Dr. Sindhu Manjesh delivered the oration titled News Media in India: A Health Report, with a Special Focus on Prognosis.

The event is open to the public.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.

The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.

At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.

ALSO READ: IndiGo board ropes in external aviation expert for flight disruption probe

Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.

Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.