The Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA) has selected Vidyaranya Kannada Kuta (VKK) of Chicago, Illinois to host the 5th AKKA World Kannada Conference in 2008 (AKKA WKC2008). This conference will be held during the Labor Day weekend (August 29th, 30th and 31st, 2008) at Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, near O’Hare International Airport.

On this occasion, a commemorative issue titled “AKKA WKC2008 Souvenir” will be published and it will be given to all the attendees. This Souvenir will consist of messages from dignitaries, and literary works such as short stories, poems, essays/articles, etc. from authors around the world including the literary works from children.

In view of this, the Souvenir Committee of AKKA WKC2008 invites you to send your literary works for publication in this Souvenir. The following will apply while selecting the articles for publication in the AKKA WKC2008 Souvenir:
• Preference will be given to articles reflecting AKKA WKC2008 Conference Theme - “Showcasing the Talents and Heritage of World Kannadigas”.
• Articles sent for publication in AKKA WKC2008 Souvenir should not have been published elsewhere.
• Number of pages - not more than 8 pages (Font size: 12 (Kannada), 11 (English), single line spaced). Exceptions will be taken depending on the quality and subject matter of the article.
• Kannada articles should be in Baraha and English articles should be in MS Word.
• Souvenir Committee is solely responsible for selecting articles for publication in the Souvenir, and its decision is final.

Please e-mail your entries including your name, address, phone number, a brief profile about you (including age in case of children and youth up to 25 years), and your photograph before March 31, 2008 to AKKAWKC2008Souvenir@gmail.com 

If you are sending a diskette/CD, please mail to the following address:
AKKA WKC-2008, 319 N. Weber Road PMB #411, Bolingbrook, IL-60490

Also, please note the following:
1. Theme Related Articles: Top five articles from among the selected articles for publication in the Souvenir will be selected for awarding prizes. The authors of the top two articles will receive $200 each, and the authors of the next three articles will receive $100 each.
2. Short Stories: Top five stories from among the selected short stories for publication in the Souvenir will be selected for awarding prizes. The authors of the top two short stories will receive $200 each, and the authors of the next three short stories will receive $100 each.
3. Articles from Children and Youth: All the children and youth who contribute for this Souvenir will be grouped into two age groups • 1) 16 years and under, 2) above 16 years and up to 25 years. The children of the top five articles from each age group will be selected for awarding prizes (first two will receive $100 each and the next three will receive $50 each).

We look forward to receive your articles as soon as possible, and look forward to see you all at the conference. For all information related to AKKA WKC2008, please visit AKKA website at: www.akkaonline.org.

Thank you.

AKKA WKC2008 Souvenir Committee:
H. KulleGowda, Ravi Topgi, Dinesh Kadamuddi, Rama Chandra and M.S.N. Swamy