Grameena Dasara (rural Dasara) on Wednesday got off to a colourful start with a mini Dasara like event at the temple town in the district.

The event, a prelude to Navarathri festivities beginning from October 5-14, was launched amidst much fanfare with a procession of seven different cultural troupes, tableaux of government departments like education, agriculture among others highlighting their programmes.

Gowri, the caparisoned elephant of Srikanteshwara Swamy temple in the town was the cynosure of all the eyes. An idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari covered by umbrella top was taken out on the jumbo. A stilt walker enhanced the mood with passersby, especially children watching him in awe.

Revenue and District In-charge Minister V Sreenivas Prasad appealed to the people to participate in large numbers with once esoteric Dasara festival extended to neighbouring Chamarajanagar district too.

Earlier, inaugurating the programme, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil stressed on creating basic amenities at the villages to check exodus of people towards cities in search of jobs. After the success of ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme, it has been decided to give jowar to the people at north Karnataka and ragi at southern part of the State, the Minister said.

To bolster small farmers, a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,800 will be given for per tonne of ragi and jowar.

Chamarajanagar MP R Dhruvanarayan appealed to the Minister to sanction grant of at least Rs 25 lakh for gram panchayats, that have been finding it difficult to maintain with meagre Rs seven lakh to Rs eight lakh aid from the government.