Rajyotsava, a low-key affair

Rs 5 Rajkumar stamp to be released today

To register the event—definitely a landmark in the State’s history—Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will participate in a simple function organised by the Education Department at 9 am on Sunday at the City’s Ravindra Kalakshetra. 

Schoolchildren will present Naada Geethe and Raitha Geethe followed by an address by the chief minister and other guests.

But the event will stamp its importance in a different way. At 11 am, Yeddyurappa will unveil a postage stamp in memory of one of Karnataka’s most popular sons, Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar.
The function will be held at the Banquet Hall, Vidhana Soudha, but without the traditional fervour.
Union Ministers S M Krishna, Mallikharjun Kharge and K H Muniyappa will be the chief guests besides Parvathamma Rajkumar. Later the chief minister will leave for Gadag.

In his Rajyotsava greeting on Saturday, Yeddyurappa said the celebration of  State Formation Day (Kannada Rajyotsava) inspire the people to come closer emotionally. “Let the celebration this year prompt us to make up our minds to contribute further to help the flood-affected brethren of north Karnataka,” he said.

Rajkumar stamp

For Rajkumar fans, the release of a stamp would be something to watch out for.
The state government will be releasing a stamp of the matinee idol, late Rajkumar, on Rajyotsava.
The stamp worth Rs 5 will be available in all post offices from November 3.

In addition, exhibitions featuring the art and culture of Karnataka will be organised in Bangalore, Mangalore, Dharwad and Mysore to mark the release of the stamp.
In Bangalore, the exhibition will be organised from Nov 3 to 10 at the General Post Office.
Apart from the stamp, t-shirts, keychains and caps with the stamp printed on it will also be on sale at the exhibition.

Reconstructing lives

On Friday, the fans had turned nostalgic, reading his last letter, written as a gift to the Indian Disabled Foundation (IDL). The Bangalore-based NGO is involved in reconstructing the lives of the visually challenged.
In the letter, Rajkumar had stressed how pledging the eyes was an important deed towards a noble cause.

The NGO had also brought out a memorabilia of the star’s last letter along with a unique 100-year calendar from 2001 to 2100. These are in aid of physically and visually challenged persons.
On Friday, members of the IDL blind band had gathered before the Rajkumar statue at the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce to celebrate the event. The matinee idol’s son Raghavendra also joined the celebrations.