Mysuru: Vinu, mahout of jumbo Arjuna, his wife Sumangali, his father and special mahout Doddappaji and all other mahouts and kavadis of the Dasara elephants enjoyed a special lunch on Friday along with District Minister and Dasara executive committee chairperson Mr G.T. Devegowda at the Mysuru palace courtyard.
Mr Devegowda even served holige before joining them for lunch along with BJP MLAs S.A. Ramdas, Harshavardhan, L Nagendra, DC Abhiram G Shankar, ZP CEO Ms K Jyothi and others. “Elephants and their caretakers play a pivotal role in the Jumbo Savari procession. So we wanted them to be happy and hosted the special meal for them,” the minister said. The spread included akki rotti yenne gaayi and red chutney, onion pakoda, dates paayasa, methi pulao with raitha, rice and hurali kattu, thili saaru, curds, papad, corn kosambari, hurali kaalu palya, vegetable palya, banana and even ice cream.
With only seven toilets available for over 150 family members of the 12 mahouts and 12 kaawaadis, DC Mr Abhiram Shankar assured that they would provide additional mobile toilets. The wives and kids of the mahouts and kavadis appear malnourished and so they would be provided nutritious food, he added. Mr Devegowda also made it clear that the present political developments would not affect the Dasara preparations. Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy is slated to inaugurate the Jumbo Savari procession.
