Dasara festivities commence

MYSORE: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that the state government is focused on the development of Mysore and promotion of tourism and culture in the region.Speaking at the inauguration of Mysore Dasara 2011 here atop Chamundi Hills on Wednesday, Gowda said that over centuries Dasara has evolved into an attractive global event with regard to its practices, tradition and art and culture.He said that rural Dasara and folklore troupes’ performance combined with similar programmes has turned out to be successful in attracting public participation.Gowda stressed that there is no dearth of funds for the Dasara festivities as his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa had declared it a nadahabba, setting aside all fears that Dasara would be a low-key affair. The Chief Minister also said that Dasara must be celebrated in all thirty districts as it was done in Mysore, Madikeri and Mangalore.As Dasara is a festival that celebrates  victory over evil, Gowda said that the people of Karnataka are doing the right thing by taking the side of justice and thus, scoring over the bad. He also prayed for better rains and peace and prosperity across the state.The Chief Minister said that strength and knowledge should spread across all boundaries for a better society and appealed to his people to light lamps so as to come out of darkness and spread knowledge and cultural traditions.