Date:23/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/23/stories/2005092307630500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Mysore to be projected as an investment destination

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister Dharam Singh releases 1,000 gold cards

Baragur Ramachandrappa to inaugurate Dasara festivities
Violinist Mahadevappa chosen for Asthana Vidwan Award
Rahul Dravid to inaugurate Dasara sports events

Well-known musicians to perform in Mysore

FOR TOURISTS: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh releasing the Dasara gold cards in Bangalore on Thursday. The Chief Minister is flanked by Mysore Mayor Bharati and Minister of State for Labour Tanvir Sait. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: The Government has decided to showcase Mysore city as a destination for investment along with organising the traditional Dasara festivities. It will be the 200th Dasara festivities and the Government has so far been able to retain the attraction it holds for tourists from the country and abroad.

Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh announced here on Thursday that all arrangements were in place for the festivities which would begin on October 4.

He was releasing 1,000 gold cards meant for tourists who can afford to pay to get a grandstand view of the festivities. Each card is priced at Rs. 5,000 and the holders of the cards would be allowed to attend all the programmes connected with the festival and also avail themselves of reserved parking facilities. The Chief Minister also announced that noted violinist Mahadevappa had been selected for this year's Asthana Vidwan Award. He would be presented with the award on October 12.

Inauguration

Finality has been reached on who should inaugurate this year's festivities. The honour goes to the former Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, Baragur Ramachdarappa.

He will inaugurate the festivities on October 4 atop Chamundi Hills. Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash will participate in the inaugural programme as the chief guest.

Minister of State for Labour Tanvir Sait said Test cricketer Rahul Dravid had been invited to inaugurate the Dasara sports events while national film awardee Tara would inaugurate the cultural programme. Adventure sports and airshow had also been organised during the 10-day festivities. The exhibition would be inaugurated on October 5 at the Doddakere Maidan. Unlike in the past, a mini Dasara celebrations had been organised on October 8 and 9, he said.

Mr. Sait, who represents Mysore in the Legislative Assembly, said the city would be projected as an investor-friendly destination during the celebrations to attract domestic and foreign investment.

Investors' meet

The Government was planning to hold a Global Investors' Meet in Mysore this year, he said. Well-known musicians and singers M. Balamuralikrishna, R. Visveswaran and Ravikiran, Shimoga Subbanna, Begum Parveen Sultana, Pandit Vishwamohan Bhat, T.V. Shankar Narayan, Pandit Hariprasad Chowrasia, and Ustad Rasheed Khan will present concerts during the festival. Noted Bharatanatyam danseuse Padma Subramaniam of Chennai will perform on October 12.