Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mysuru: With Siddaramaiah setting a new record by being Chief Minister for the longest period of 2792 days after Devraj Urs, his family members and people at his native village Siddaramanahundi in Mysuru taluk have celebrated a feast on Tuesday.
His friends and supporters in Mysuru have equally rejoiced it.
Experts and Mysureans have recalled his contributions to the State especially his home district Mysuru. They have even voiced about some important landmark works which he needs to take to his home turf.
Festive vibe grips Siddaramanahundi
Siddaramaiah's close friend for more than four decades Kempeeraiah from Siddararamanahundi has distributed sweets in the village and at his hotel to celebrate his friend's new record. He shared, "Festive atmosphere has gripped the village. Siddaramaiah's brother Siddegowda, his children and children of his late brothers Thammaiah and Ramu have celebrated this occasion as a festival in their homes in the village. Entire village is proud of him. So the entire village has celebrated his new record by bursting crackers. All of us wish that he continues as CM for the entire term."
Kempeeraiah's wife Lakshmi who prepared a festive meal to celebrate Siddaramaiah's record shared, "all the women in the village have offered special pooja at Sri Siddarameshwara temple in the village and have prayed for him to continue as CM for the entire term."
Leaders, supporters rejoice
Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike (R) State President, K S Shivaramu distributed Siddaramaiah's favourite Naati Koli Biryani, sweets like laddu, jamoon to about 500 people who gathered near Siddaramaiah's home in Mysuru to greet him on Tuesday morning. Shivaramu "Siddaramaiah has created a history. Leaders like him who believe in values and philosophies like social justice are rare. 75% of Dalits, OBCs and Minorities are supporting Congress and Siddaramaiah. Retaining him as CM for a full term is imperative to maintain the strength of Congress and retain these AHINDA Communities' support."
KPCC Spokesperson M Lakshmana recalled, "CM Siddaramaiah has contributed works worth Rs 3800 Crore to Mysuru city during his tenure as CM from 2013 to 2018. Now from 2023 so far he has contributed works worth Rs 2996 Crore to Mysuru city. During his previous term he took up about 49 important works in Mysuru including district hospital, buildings of DC office, Police Commissioner's office, Maharani's college in Paduvaralli and more. Now atleast 18 major works are in progress in Mysuru city including the building of Kidwai hospital, Maharani's college hostel. Many more landmark works like film city are coming up. He will continue to contribute more to the city and he will always remain as a strength to the Congress Party, poor and AHINDA" he said.
Landmark works needed
Heritage expert N S Rangaraju said, "Being from Mysuru district Siddaramaiah should come up with an authority to conserve tangible heritage (like heritage structures) and intangible cultural heritage (like Dasara) of Mysuru. He should give a package of atleast Rs 500 Crore to restore heritage structures of Mysuru. Also he should get 10 acre for the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada' (CESCK) in Mysuru, as it needs its own registered land and building to get autonomous status. With all these landmark works Mysureans will remember him for ever."
Experts also felt that even as Mysuru is the cultural capital of the State, he should come up with a cultural convention centre, a museum and heritage village to reflect, showcase the rich culture of the State including dance and music forms; and specialties of Mysuru and Karnataka. He should even give a special package to improve the infrastructure of Mysuru .
Experts have also pushed for wildlife/Tiger/leopard rescue centre with advanced veterinary care infrastructure in Mysuru to cater to animals rescued due to increasing human-animal conflicts in Mysuru region- Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu districts including Bandipur, Nagarahole Tiger reserves as the space and facility is limited at Chamundi Wild Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Koorgalli in Mysuru.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan hosted a laser show on Exhibition ground highlighting Siddaramaiah's contributions on Monday evening.
Several Congress leaders like H P Manjunath, M K Somashekar also distributed Biryani and sweets at several places in Mysuru.