Drought: Get set for low-key Dasara this year

Bengaluru: With a drought-like situation prevailing in the state, which is said to be worse than the one the state witnessed in 1972, the state government has decided keep the world famous Dasara, which will begin on October 23, low key.

BJP members, who were present at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urged the government not to drop traditional programmes like Jamboo Savari, torchlight parade and the Darbar.

After the meeting, Mr Siddaramaiah said that the government will come out with a concrete decision on how to celebrate Dasara in the next three to four days. He said that the government will consult people from different walks of life, like the litterati, academics and others. The issue will be discussed even in the Cabinet on Tuesday, he said.

Admitting that a low-key Dasara will affect the tourism potential to some extent, he said that the Dasara is world famous and foreign tourists arrive in Mysuru only to witness the grand celebration. With the Mysuru being declared cleanest city in the city, the tourist inflow is expected to be more, he said. But in the wake of the drought, the high-level committee decided to keep it simple, he said.

On the drought, Mr Siddaramaiah said that this is the worst ever drought in the state since 1972. The state went without any rain in July and August too is looking bleak. “Since people are suffering, the committee decided to hold a simple Dasara,” he said.