Shobha is back! But only to distribute gifts to mahouts

Dasara 2010: Cycling, skating, and marathon today

But she is still loved by mahouts and kavadis who accompany Dasara elephants.
The reason for this has been regularising their services in Forest Department-a demand that was pending for many years.

On Saturday, Shobha, who was here on official work , spent around two hours in the company of mahouts and kavadis.

Gifts

She presented new clothes for the families of mahouts and kavadis and chatted with them. The minister also sat along with them and had lunch.

She also went near the elephants and caressed them by offering sugar cane and jaggery. The jumbos too showed their respects by blessing with their trunks.

As soon as she arrived at the temporary sheds that are put up at a corner of the palace premises, the families of mahouts and kavadis surrounded her.

Memory power

She too addressed them by names which indicated her sharp memory power.
Later, in an informal chat with news persons, Shobha said she had the opportunity of working for Dasara festival for two successive years.

The pomp and gaiety of previous years are being preserved this year too.
“My colleague Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas has made good arrangements for this year Dasara festival.

“We all will support him in making Dasara 2010 a grand success”.

Stalemate

On political turmoil in the State, Shobha blamed both Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) for the present situation and exuded confidence that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would pass the acid test with flying colours.

She said that all those BJP legislators who have withdrawn support to the government would strengthen the hands of Yeddyurappa on October 11.

There is no threat to our government and we will complete full term of five years”, she added.

Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B P Manjunath, MLC Siddaraju and others accompanied Shobha on the occasion.