Minister falls into Varuna Lake

Swims to safety; jet skis, speed boats draw crowds at Dasara adventure sports event

Gowda, along with district in-charge Minister S A Ramdas, went on a ride on a powerful jet ski after inaugurating the event held as part of Dasara celebrations. 

While instructor Manjunath of General Thimmaiah National Adventure Sports Academy was guiding Ramdas, another coach Sowmya was Raju Gowda’s instructor.

Both ministers spent nearly 15 minutes in the water.

Minister loses control

Gowda, apparently excited during the ride, offered to drive the ski himself and managed the first three rounds smoothly. But in the fourth round, when he tried to take a curve, the boat tilted and both the coach and the minister were thrown into the water.

However, with life-jackets on, the minister and the coach managed to come out of water, unharmed. Swimming ashore, Gowda waved at the people gathered. 

A large number of passers-by had gathered on the Mysore-T Narsipur Road to watch the adventure sports.

Later, speaking to mediapersons, Gowda said that such minor falls are common in adventure sports. Having grown up in a hilly area with a number of water bodies, he was used to water. A slight precaution before getting into water can prevent accidents.

The minister said he used to go to Goa, earlier, to enjoy water sports. But with such a facility available in Mysore, more people should avail the benefit, he added. However, Lady Luck did not favour Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna and Zilla Panchayat President Suneetha Veerappagowda at the adventure sports. They could not enjoy a ride in a speed boat, due to a glitch in the engine. Despite efforts to revive the engine, it failed to start even after 20 minutes and left them disappointed.

The Dasara Adventure Sports inaugurated amid much fanfare witnessed a huge turnout, in spite of the scorching sun. More than 100 people had gathered to experience the rush of water on two jet skis, a Kayaking and a speedboat provided for the participants.
The water adventure sports will continue till October 4 at Varuna Lake between 9.30 am and 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5.30 pm.