Literature Gives a Creative Touch to Health Awareness – ‘Vydyaloka Arogya Kathe and Kavana Competition–2026’ Awards Presented. Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation Inaugurated
Bengaluru, September 8: Literature has an important role to play in taking scientific health awareness to the common people in a simple and engaging manner. With the objective of bringing health and literature together on a common platform, the ‘Vydyaloka Arogya Kathe and Kavana Competition–2026’ Award Ceremony was held in Muliya Gold and Diamonds, Manipal Center, Bengaluru.
The event also marked the launch of the Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation. The speakers emphasized that health awareness should not remain confined to doctors’ clinics but should reach every household.
The programme was inaugurated by N. Subrahmanya Bhat, Manager, Muliya Gold and Diamonds. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the efforts of Vydyaloka in bringing doctors, health professionals, writers, poets, authors and members of the public together on a common platform.
Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation Launched
Dr. Ashakiran, Managing Director, Tatkshana Ayurveda Hospital, formally launched the Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashakiran said: “For several years, Sri Krishna Mailengi, Head of Vydyaloka, has been collecting information from doctors and health professionals and presenting it to the general public in simple and easily understandable language.”
He appreciated the initiative to bring health professionals from different systems of medicine onto a common platform. “The effort to bring health professionals from different systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Allopathy and Homoeopathy, onto one platform is highly commendable.”
He also said: “HealthVision and Vydyaloka are among the prominent health magazines of Karnataka.” He congratulated all the participants who took part in the competition.
Develop the Habit of Reading Books
Presiding over the programme, renowned doctor-writer, President of the Karnataka Publishers Association and Editor of Vydyaloka, Dr. Vasundhara Bhupathi, said that “Today’s younger generation is spending a great deal of time on social media. The same social media platforms should be used positively to create health awareness among the public.”
She also encouraged people to develop a reading habit and make books and magazines a part of their regular budget. “Just as we set aside a budget every month for purchasing groceries, we should also develop the habit of allocating a budget for purchasing good books and magazines.”
She added: “Publishing a book is not an easy task. Everyone should join hands and contribute to the growth of quality health literature.”
Need for Health Awareness Through Literature
Delivering a special lecture, doctor, poet and writer Dr. Suresh Negalaguli called upon people to develop the habit of reading books written by doctors. “People should develop the habit of reading books written by doctors. The tradition of medical literature is not new. Many works have been published over the years to take health and medical knowledge to the public.”
He also cautioned people against relying on online searches for self-diagnosis. “Although obtaining health information online can be helpful, searching for symptoms on Google and attempting to self-diagnose is not the right approach.”
He stressed: “For health-related problems, it is essential to seek the advice of a qualified doctor.”
‘Arogya Sahitya Ratna’ Honours
For their significant contribution to the field of health literature, Dr. Suresh Negalaguli, Dr. Vasundhara Bhupathi and N.V. Ramesh were honoured with the ‘Arogya Sahitya Ratna’ Award.
Navakarnataka Publications Appreciates Vydyaloka’s Efforts
Premachandra, Executive Director, Navakarnataka Publications, appreciated the continuous efforts of the Vydyaloka and HealthVision teams. He said: “Collecting information from doctors and taking it to the common people in a simple and understandable manner is not an easy task. The Vydyaloka and HealthVision team has been continuously carrying out this important work.” He also called upon people to cultivate the habit of reading. “Everyone should develop the habit of reading. By reading good books and reliable health information, people can enhance their knowledge.”
Vydyaloka Provides a Platform for Health Writers
N.V. Ramesh, author and playwright from Mysuru, said that Vydyaloka has created a platform not only for doctors but also for others with knowledge and experience in the field of health. He said: “Vydyaloka is not only a platform for doctors. It provides an opportunity for everyone who has knowledge and experience related to health to share their thoughts and experiences.”
He called upon everyone to join hands with Vydyaloka, HealthVision, Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation in the effort to build a healthy society.
Doctors and Medical Students Should Use Media Creatively
Sri Krishna Mailengi, Managing Editor of Vydyaloka and HealthVision, said that doctors and medical students have an important role to play in creating health awareness. He said: “Doctors and medical students should use the media creatively to share their knowledge with the common people. Media can play a highly effective role in taking correct health information, scientific awareness and preventive healthcare measures to the public.”
He further stated: “The main objective of the Karnataka Arogya Sahitya Parishat and Bengaluru Health Foundation is to create a healthy society.”
He announced that several initiatives would be undertaken to promote health literature. “With the objective of making health literature more popular, various story, poetry and creative competitions related to health will be organised involving doctors, medical students and the public.”
Around 500 Participants Took Part
The ‘Vydyaloka Arogya Kathe and Kavana Competition–2026’ received an overwhelming response from doctors, health professionals, medical students and the public, with around 500 participants taking part.
The participants expressed various dimensions of health, including health awareness, lifestyle, food, nutrition and healthy living, through stories and poems.
The competition was conducted in three categories—Doctors and Health Professionals, General Public, and Medical Students—in both the story and poetry sections.
Awards Presented to Winners
In the Story category, the first prize in the Doctors and Health Professionals section was won by Dr. Naveen Ellangal. S. Raghunandan secured the first prize in the General Public category, while Dr. Bhavya L. won the first prize in the Medical Students category.
In the Poetry category, the first prize in the Doctors and Health Professionals section was won by Dr. Suresh Negalaguli. Dr. Kolchappe Govinda Bhat secured the first prize in the General Public category, while Ravikumar A.S. won the first prize in the Students category.
Several talented participants were also honoured with second and third prizes in the various categories. Consolation prizes were also presented to several participants in recognition of their enthusiastic participation.
The programme concluded with a Lucky Dip Draw organised by Muliya Jewels and Diamonds.
The ‘Vydyaloka Arogya Kathe and Kavana Competition–2026’ emerged as a meaningful and innovative initiative to take health awareness beyond conventional medical information and into the hearts and minds of people through the powerful mediums of stories, poetry and literature.
