<p>But she is still loved by mahouts and kavadis who accompany Dasara elephants. <br />The reason for this has been regularising their services in Forest Department-a demand that was pending for many years.<br /><br />On Saturday, Shobha, who was here on official work , spent around two hours in the company of mahouts and kavadis. <br /><br />Gifts<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Memory power<br /><br />She too addressed them by names which indicated her sharp memory power.<br />Later, in an informal chat with news persons, Shobha said she had the opportunity of working for Dasara festival for two successive years. <br /><br />The pomp and gaiety of previous years are being preserved this year too. <br />“My colleague Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas has made good arrangements for this year Dasara festival. <br /><br />“We all will support him in making Dasara 2010 a grand success”.<br /><br />Stalemate<br /><br />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. <br /><br />She said that all those BJP legislators who have withdrawn support to the government would strengthen the hands of Yeddyurappa on October 11. <br /><br />There is no threat to our government and we will complete full term of five years”, she added.<br /><br />Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B P Manjunath, MLC Siddaraju and others accompanied Shobha on the occasion.</p>
<p>But she is still loved by mahouts and kavadis who accompany Dasara elephants. <br />The reason for this has been regularising their services in Forest Department-a demand that was pending for many years.<br /><br />On Saturday, Shobha, who was here on official work , spent around two hours in the company of mahouts and kavadis. <br /><br />Gifts<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Memory power<br /><br />She too addressed them by names which indicated her sharp memory power.<br />Later, in an informal chat with news persons, Shobha said she had the opportunity of working for Dasara festival for two successive years. <br /><br />The pomp and gaiety of previous years are being preserved this year too. <br />“My colleague Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas has made good arrangements for this year Dasara festival. <br /><br />“We all will support him in making Dasara 2010 a grand success”.<br /><br />Stalemate<br /><br />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. <br /><br />She said that all those BJP legislators who have withdrawn support to the government would strengthen the hands of Yeddyurappa on October 11. <br /><br />There is no threat to our government and we will complete full term of five years”, she added.<br /><br />Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B P Manjunath, MLC Siddaraju and others accompanied Shobha on the occasion.</p>
