Flood victims to get ‘Obbattu oota’ for Deepavali
The flood victims of North Karnataka may not be able to burst crackers, wear a new cloth or light a lamp.
But definitely they will have some sweets on their plates, thanks to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. He has directed the deputy commissioners of all the flood-hit districts to make arrangements for serving sweets during Deepavali.
Yeddyurappa will be celebrating the festival in the afernoon at Madarkal village in Devadurg taluk of Raichur district. His supper will be at Tintani village of Surupur taluk of Gulbarga district. The CM left for Raichur on Friday night by a train.
As per the Devadurga tahasildar S I Chougle, the preparations are on to serve holige (obbattu), chapati, rice and sambar at Madarkal ganji kendra (gruel centre), which is about 80 kms away from Raichur town. This village was badly affected in the floods.
As many 1,500 people would have food at the gruel centre of this village, where the CM will have his lunch.
Asked who would be preparing the food, the officer said the revenue department officials are taking care of it.
Bellary Deputy Commissioner B Shivappa said there were 16 gruel centres in the district and about 17,200 people would be having special meals on October 19.
The Deepavali menu at gruel centres in Gulbarga has ladoos as the special. Besides, rice and sambar, chapati and two types of palyas (vegetables) will also be served across 76 gruel centres in the district, Deputy Commissioner Vishal said. Arrangement have been made to serve food to over 2,000 people at Tintani village in Surpur where CM Yeddyurappa is scheduled to have dinner on Saturday, he added.
