Southern States - Karnataka   

Dasara begins with prayers for rain

By Our Staff Correspondent

C.N.R. Rao, scientist, inaugurating the Dasara festivities at the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore on Saturday. The Minister for Cooperation, H. Vishwanath, the Minister of State for Kannada and Culture, Rani Satish, the Minister for Horticulture, M. Shivanna, the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, V. Srinivas Prasad, and the Mysore Mayor, Modamani, are seen.

Mysore Sept. 27. C.N.R. Rao, eminent scientist, inaugurated the Dasara festivities atop the Chamundi Hills here today with prayers to the goddess, Chamundeshwari, to bless the State with bountiful rain and prosperity.

He called for a synthesis of the religious and the cultural traditions of the State while resolving to become a more modern and an advanced society with emphasis on education. The drought cast its shadow on the inaugural ceremony as Dr. Rao referred to the failure of the monsoon in the State for the past three years and the predicament of farmers. "Let us pray to Chamundeshwari not to let down Karnataka and instead bless it with rain and help farmers prosper,'' he said.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the Raaga Raagini Mantap opposite the Chamundi Temple, and Dr. Rao lit the lamp at the altar of the goddess. The inauguration was marked by chanting of sacred hymns to the accompaniment of nadaswaram and showering of petals which was preceded by special prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple.

Dr. Rao drew the attention of the people to the role of science and technology in the development of the country and said the auspicious occasion of Navaratri was also an ideal time to recall the progress made in various spheres.

Tracing the historical association of science in the development of Karnataka, Dr. Rao said various projects, including the KRS near Mysore and VISL in Bhadravati, were examples of the State's early foray in the field of science in the past. But it was his dream that India became a modern country and Karnataka should take the lead in directing the course of the nation's development.

In this context, Dr. Rao emphasised the importance of education, and said while degrees could be acquired, true education was an exception and stressed its importance if India was to modernise.

He said: "We are second to none, and let us resolve to become more modern and advanced. But let us also not give up our religious and cultural heritage. Karnataka has made outstanding contribution to religious and cultural traditions and let us continue to maintain it. So let us cultivate devotion, invoke the blessings of the goddess and pray that she does not let us down."

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