Karnataka

From the Districts

Officials told to submit reports

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI DEC. 4. The Deputy Commissioner, Srikant Valagad, has directed the heads of government departments in Kodagu to submit compliance reports in tune with the directive by the Lokayukta, N. Venkatachala, who visited the district recently. He was speaking at a public grievances' meeting here, according to a press release issued today. He told the officials to respond to the problems of the people without any delay. The Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, P.L. Budihal, was present. Mr. Valagad and Mr. Budihal later visited the opportunity section of Kodagu Vidyalaya here to review its functioning. They distributed sweets to 47 inmates of the section.

`Continue water release'

By Our Staff Correspondent

TUMKUR DEC. 4. Anusuya Y.K.R., Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and president of the Hemavathy Achkat Farmers' Forum, has disputed claims by the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) leaders that the Government has agreed to continue water release into the Hemavathy-Tumkur Canal till December 15. Ms. Anusuya told presspersons here on Friday that the officials concerned had stopped releasing water. She criticised the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) leaders for "misguiding" the people and said the Kunigal Doddakere was in the tail-end region of the canal. Water should be released for the next two months so that the Kunigal Doddakere and other tanks in Kunigal taluk would be filled. This was necessary to meet the drinking water shortage during summer, she said. She threatened to launch an agitation if the Government did not respond to the forum's plea to continue water release into the canal.

Call to spread dualism

By Our Staff Correspondent

HAMPI DEC. 4. Viswesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt has called for spreading the philosophy of dualism propagated by Madhwacharya. Speaking at a conclave of seers of the Madhwa sect here on Saturday as part of the 500th death anniversary of Raghunandana Tirtha, the swamiji said the philosophy of Madhwacharya was relevant even today. Bannanje Govindacharya, scholar, and Prasannashura Madhava Tirtha Swamiji spoke. Sushamindra Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Vignannidhi Tirtha Swamiji, Vishwabhushan Tirtha Swamiji and Vidyabhaskar Tirtha Swamiji were present.

Garudi Jadoo Utsav

MANGALORE DEC. 4. "Garudi Jadoo Utsav 2004", a State-level meet of magicians, will commence on Tuesday at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala near here on Tuesday. It is being organised by Mangala Magic Circle, Mangalore, as part of its decennial celebrations. Nearly 300 magicians are expected to participate in the utsav and their annual meeting on December 11 and 12 at the Gorakshanatha Hall at Kadri here. The president of Mangala Magic Circle, Swarna Sundar, told presspersons on Friday that the magicians would perform at various places in Dakshina Kannada during the utsav. Prahlad Acharya, magician, said that a State-level competition would be organised as part of the convention. The winner of the competition would receive the "Garudi Shresta'' title. He said during the utsav, items related to magic would be on sale. Classes, seminars, demonstrations and workshops would be held as part of the utsav. Pradeep Suri, secretary of Mangala Magic Circle, was present.

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