Cuttack, March 13: Creating literary readership, particularly among the young generation, still remains a major concern and challenge for writers.

Organised by Sarjanaa, the national-level literary festival held at Ravenshaw University here today, saw eminent personalities deliberating on the topic of 'Celebrating literature in the time of intolerance'.

A number of young writers also have backed commercialisation of literature that has become essential to create and seek maximum attention of readers.

'Being a writer, I feel there is a growing need of financial support from various sources, which, in turn, helps to connect and reach out to maximum readers,' said Nitin Soni, a writer from Delhi.

The young writer said writing books always has been a passion and every author wants his books to be read.

At present, he is working on a novel based on burning issues such as rape and other problems faced by women in the society.

Kulpreet Yadav, another author, said that there had been already a massive change as a lot of people had started reading books because of writers such as Chetan Bhagat and Amish Tripathi.

Yadav said earlier people were unable to understand literary fictions for which the base of readership was considerably low across the country.

'Already, due to young writers and the way they have taken the help of various mass media and other commercial considerations, the industry has grown almost by 30 per cent,' said Yadav.

Yadav said that the role of Chetan Bhagat and Amish Tripathi in reviving the publishing industry couldn't be ignored.

'The youth should be professional in the outlook as they can bring out better quality products which is also the case with literature. We have organised the literary fest to provide a platform to the students to explore the possibilities as a writer,' said Suniti Mund, the secretary of Sarjanna.

Around 300 delegates from Odisha and other parts of the country will take part in panel discussions on various topics during the three-day literary fest that will conclude on March 15.

Mund said a painting and book exhibition-cum-sale counter had also been set up to give a new taste to the creative minds.