JOIN USAdopt the best of past and present, says writer
Jnanapith awardee Kannada writer Chandrashekara Kambara on Saturday called for retaining the good values of the past and incorporating changes of the present for the overall development of society.
In his message to the people of the State after inaugurating the 403rd ‘Naada Habba’ Dasara atop Chamundi Hills, Kambara said globalisation was proving fatal for the rural areas, shaking the deep-rooted principles of people there.
Reminiscing the contributions of the Wadiyars, the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, Kambara said that after the fall of the Vijayanagar empire, Mysore became the cradle for the rebirth of the State’s culture.
The Wadiyars, who were visionaries, understood the ingredients of the modern world and started the meetings of people’s representatives, much before the nation could think of such a platform.
Earlier Kambara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accompanied by a number of dignitaries, performed puja at the temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari. They offered flowers to the idol of the goddess in a flower-bedecked chariot placed on a specially erected dais, marking the beginning of Navaratri.
Procession
The dignitaries were brought to the temple in a procession of cultural troupes from the entrance to the hilltop, near the statue of Mahishasura.
Women offered poorna kumbha welcome (carrying kalasha on their heads) to the dignitaries soon after their arrival.
Mayor N M Rajeshwari, her deputy V Shylendra, Revenue and district in-charge Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, PWD Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha and others were present.