It’s that time of the year again when all eyes turn towards the erstwhile kingdom of the Wadiyars, Mysuru. Progressive farmer Puttaiah, a native of H.D. Kote, inaugurated the festivities in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district V. Srinivas Prasad and several other dignitaries.
This is perhaps for the first time in the several decades that a non-celebrity is inaugurating the Nada Habba (State Festival).
The State government resolved to scale down festivities this year in view of drought and a spate of farmers’ suicides, and invited a farmer to open the festivities to send a message to the farming community on its commitment towards their well being in this hour of crisis.
Mr. Puttaiah, the Chief Minister and others lit the traditional lamp and showered flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a silver chariot on the temple premises, to signal the start of the festivities.
In his inaugural address, Puttaiah called upon farmers not to resort to the extreme step of suicide and urged the government to provide scientific pricing besides adopting scientific farm policy.
While advising farmers to practice comprehensive farming, he said the Centre and the State government must jointly tackle the farm crisis.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, in his speech, defended the decision to scale down the festivities stating that over 136 taluks had been hit by drought and over 500 farmers had committed suicide.
'A model to farmers'
He described Puttaiah as a model to farmers and urged farmers that the government was committed to their wellbeing.
He also announced that the relief to the families of farmers who had committed suicide had been enhanced from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh and this would come into effect from April 1, 2015.
Though >celebrations are low-key this time , there was no dearth to the enthusiasm of Mysureans. Devotees in large numbers made a beeline to Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru on the ocassion of the first day of Dasara.
For the first time, a separate enclosure was found for farmers at the inaugural function of Dasara atop Chamundi Hills.
Highlights:
Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar ascends the golden throne for the first time as part of the private Dasara celebrations. Photos: M.A. Sriram
Folk artistes at the inaugural ceremony of Mysuru Dasara atop Chamundi Hills on Tuesday.
