The caparisoned elephants were showered with flowers by a large number of dignitaries including Dasara Special Officer and Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad, Mysore City Corporation Mayor Pushpalatha T B Chikkanna, Zilla Panchayat President Suneetha Veerappa Gowda, Hunsur MLA H P Manjunath, MP H Vishwanath, Karnataka Housing Board chairman G T Devegowda, Chief Conservator of Forests B J Hosamutt, Range Forest Officer K B Markandaiah, Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal and others.
The jumbos included Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Mary, Sarala and first-timer Ganga. The 2.7 meter tall Balarama would be carrying the golden howdah for the 13th time.
Cultural programmes including a dance by students of Nagapura Residential High School. Tibetan girls dressed in green and yellow stole the show with a dance matched to soothing music.
A tribal dance highlighting the rich values of the forest was performed by jenukurbas.
Speaking on the occasion, Hunsur MLA H P Manjunath said that all problems relating to Girijans would be solved within 45 days. He said that a few issues had remained for the past several years.
A tribesman, mahout and a forest official were felicitated on the occasion as a mark of recognising the efforts taken by them in helping to successfully take out a Dasara festival.
The problems of Girijans are highlighted only during Gajapayana, which often leads to protests. He expressed happiness that none of the protests were taken out this time.
Continuing, he said that he had spoken to the deputy commissioner and forest department officials concerning the woes of Girijans and they had responded positively.
A meeting would be held within a week with senior tribal leaders and title deeds would be given to them within 45 days, he added.
According to sources, the welcoming of elephants would be undertaken on August 11 in the city.
3 new elephants
With three elephants - Sarala (69 years), Kanthi (71 years) and Kokila (66 years)- having crossed the 60-year-mark, jumbos - Gopi (29 years), Ganga (14 years) and Cauvery (33 years) - are being added to the Dasara festival to familiarise them.
The remaining eight elephants - Gopi, Cauvery, Srirama, Kokila, Vikram, Harsha and Kanthi are expected to arrive in the city within two to three weeks.
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