The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Government to invite Siddaganga seer to inaugurate Dasara festival

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government to invite Siddaganga seer to inaugurate Dasara festival

Special Correspondent

Festivities will be held from October 12 to October 21

Shivakumaraswamy

BANGALORE: The Government has decided to invite the Siddaganga Math swamiji Shivakumaraswamy to inaugurate this year’s annual Dasara festival in Mysore to be held from October 12 to October 21. The Karnataka Ratna award winner is revered in the State for helping poor students to pursue education.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswmay on Monday has launched the Mysore Dasara Gold Card, a special privilege card, for Rs. 5,000, with several benefits that will enable the buyer to experience Dasara in a unique way. The buyer gets a range of benefits — entry to two cultural events and places of interest. In all, 1,000 gold cards are up for sale.

Addressing presspersons after the launch of the Gold Card, Minister for Cooperation G.T. Deve Gowda, who is in charge of Mysore district, said the Chief Minister had spoken to the seer and decided to invite him to inaugurate the 10-day festivities.

He said Kannada and Culture Minister H.S. Mahadeva Prasad would meet the seer, who turned 100 on April last, and extend a formal invitation to him.

The seer has been providing free food under the math’s Akshara Dasoha scheme to 8,000 schoolchildren from poor families.

He heads 125 educational institutions. He started a Sanskrit college long ago, and launched Akshara Dasoha in 1930 for 80 students.

Mr. Deve Gowda said the district administration would mobilise Rs. 50 lakh through the sale of Gold Card. The expenditure for the festivities has been estimated at Rs. 2.5 crore.

The State budget had set aside Rs. 75 lakh. The balance would be mobilised from sponsors, he said.

Over the years Mysore has become synonymous with Dasara festivities.

This festival has been celebrated in Mysore with great pomp and show since centuries. About 10 lakh people are expected to visit Mysore this year, he said.

Mysore Deputy Commissioner S. Selvakumar was present.

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