Even though the unabated farmers’ suicides have cast a shadow on the festivity, the annual ritual of world famous Dasara festivity began at Mysore on Tuesday. The Congress Government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, rattled by more than 590 farmers taking extreme step, has kept the Mysuru Dasara, State festivity a low key affair.
Significantly the 405th Dasara was for the first time inaugurated by Puttaiah, a progressive farmer by offering prayers to goddess Chamundeswari atop of Chamundi Hills at Mysuru. This gesture is symbolic as a farmer was invited to inaugurate to infuse confidence among the farmers and restrain them from committing suicide.
Puttaiah, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several Ministers, 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said due to drought condition prevailing and farmers suicides, the festivities were held in low key. However there is no compromise in following the tradition in celebrating Dasara.
He said due to failure of monsoon, 136 taluks of the total 176 were reeling under drought and loss was estimated at about Rs16,000 crore. “The State Government has already approached the Union Government for relief several times, but no positive response has been received till date. However, the State Government already spent Rs 600 crore,” he added.
Siddaramaiah said since April this year 596 farmers have committed suicide due to various reasons and major reason being unable to repay the loans. He said this trend was not only in Karnataka but in other States also. Underlining that the suicide were not the solution as nothing could be achieved in the life, he said the farmers should think about their family and future of their children before taking extreme step in life.
The Chief Minister described Puttaiah as a role model to farmers and reiterated that his Government was committed for their wellbeing.
Speaking on the occasion, Puttaiah called upon farmers not to resort to extreme step 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.
District incharge Minister V Srinivasa Prasad, speaking on the occasion, recalled the Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s contribution for the Mysore city and said Government was continuing the tradition of Dasara festivities.
Continuing the tradition, the Mysore Royal family began the festivities by performing a puja inside the palace premises with new scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar performing all rituals for the first time. After observing the religious chores, he ascended the priceless golden throne and this process would continue until the last day of the Dasara festivities, which was witnessed by Promadadevi Wadiyar, wife of late Srikantadatta Narasihamaraja Wadiyar and royal family members and special invitees.
The Chamundi hills wore a festive look. The authorities have made special lighting arrangements.