Karnataka - Mysore   

Last year’s Dasara Seva awards yet to be presented

MYSORE: Another Dasara is fast approaching but the maiden Dasara Seva awards, which were announced during last year’s festivities, have not been presented to those who had extended quality service to tourists and supported the agencies in beautifying the city for the 10-day long State festival (Nada Habba).

The awards had been announced by the Dasara Tourism sub-committee, with the sole objective of involving individuals, business and commercial establishments in the festivities. The Seva (service) awards had been instituted in two categories — commercial and non-commercial establishments, and autorickshaw drivers and volunteers. The commercial category included hotels, private buildings, petrol pumps, commercial complexes and cinema halls. The sub-committee had framed guidelines for the participants.

The purpose behind instituting the awards was that tourists, both domestic and international, visiting the city for the festivities, were subjected to bad treatment, which would come in the way of tourism development.

In fact, the awards were constituted inspired from the concept of “Atithi Devo Bhava” programme, launched by the Union Ministry of Tourism.

“The awards were nothing but an initiative to sensitise the stakeholders to extend warm hospitality and to instil a sense of responsibility to tourists, thereby making the city a preferred tourist destination,” the organisers had said last year, when the awards had been announced.

Despite the tremendous success of Dasara 2006, the awards had not been presented. The undue delay has disappointed the stakeholders.

Though sources in the district administration maintain that awards for one category had been distributed, the stakeholders say they have not reached them.

“We did our best to upkeep and beautify our surroundings. In fact, many business establishments like petrol pumps were illuminated to bring a festive atmosphere to the city,” a representative of Business Establishments’ Association said.

“We are happy that we did our best to make Dasara a wonderful experience. We could have done it voluntarily, but why did they promise to give awards,” they asked.

The autorickshaw drivers decorated their vehicles and were polite to their passengers. They distributed brochures collected from the publicity sub-committee.

Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda, who is the Dasara Special Officer, told The Hindu that the awards will be distributed this year along with the new ones. “The stakeholders had told me about this at a meeting. I will personally look into the matter and ensure that the awards are presented to the winners. The lapse will be corrected,” he said.

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