<p>Davangere: The district administration is making extensive preparations to host state-level youth festival scheduled on January 5 and 6 in the City.</p><p>Seven stages are being set up at four locations to host the competitions. The main event will be held at the Bapuji MBA College ground.</p><p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the festival at the main stage on the MBA College grounds on Sunday at 10:30 am.</p><p>A German tent is being installed with seating arrangements for 5,000 people. Food and accommodation facilities have been made for the participants, informed Deputy Commissioner G M Gangadharaswamy at a press conference on Monday.</p><p><strong>Procession</strong></p><p>The DC said a procession by cultural troupes will be held before the main event. Davangere MP Prabha Mallikarjun will flag off the procession at Colonel M B Ravindranath Circle. More than 15 cultural troupes from various districts of the state will participate.</p><p>As part of the youth festival, a walkathon has been organised on January 3. It will begin at 6:30 am from Moti Veerappa College grounds.</p><p>Over 1,500 participants from various districts are expected to participate in the fest. Accommodation for participants has been arranged in eight hostels.</p><p>Visitors will be served with Davangere cuisines including <em>benne dosa</em> and <em>maldi</em>. Holidays have been declared for selected colleges where competitions will be held, he stated.</p><p>The DC said that first prize winners will be given cash prize of Rs 25,000. Second prize winners will be given Rs 15,000 while third prize winners will be awarded Rs 10,000.</p><p>“Jingles are being prepared to attract the youth and will be shared on social media,” the DC added.</p><p>The DC said there are plans to continue the fruit and flower exhibition going on at the Glass House. On January 6, arrangements have been made for participants to visit tourist spots in the district.</p><p>Scout and Guides, NCC students will work as volunteers. Separate committees have been formed for reception, accommodation, food, and stage arrangements.</p><p>CCTV is being installed at venues and food preparation areas. Food prepared will be tested for safety. National Youth Award recipients and over 20 judges have been invited, the DC said responding to a question.</p><p><strong>Rs 1.5 cr expense</strong></p><p>Deputy Commissioner G M Gangadharaswamy said an estimated Rs 1.5 crore may be spent on organising the youth festival. A grant of Rs 75 lakh is available. A proposal for an additional Rs 50 lakh has been submitted.</p><p><strong>Bus service</strong></p><p>As the competitions will be held on seven stages across four locations, a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ bus service is being launched for visitors as well as local people to all these locations.</p><p>“Four buses have been reserved for this and they will regularly shuttle between the four locations. People can move from one place to another viewing the events,” the DC said.</p><p>ZP CEO Suresh Itnal, Additional DC Lokesh, Additional SP Vijayakumar Santosh, Assistant Commissioner Santosh Kumar, and City Corporation Commissioner Renuka were present.</p>
<p>Davangere: The district administration is making extensive preparations to host state-level youth festival scheduled on January 5 and 6 in the City.</p><p>Seven stages are being set up at four locations to host the competitions. The main event will be held at the Bapuji MBA College ground.</p><p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the festival at the main stage on the MBA College grounds on Sunday at 10:30 am.</p><p>A German tent is being installed with seating arrangements for 5,000 people. Food and accommodation facilities have been made for the participants, informed Deputy Commissioner G M Gangadharaswamy at a press conference on Monday.</p><p><strong>Procession</strong></p><p>The DC said a procession by cultural troupes will be held before the main event. Davangere MP Prabha Mallikarjun will flag off the procession at Colonel M B Ravindranath Circle. More than 15 cultural troupes from various districts of the state will participate.</p><p>As part of the youth festival, a walkathon has been organised on January 3. It will begin at 6:30 am from Moti Veerappa College grounds.</p><p>Over 1,500 participants from various districts are expected to participate in the fest. Accommodation for participants has been arranged in eight hostels.</p><p>Visitors will be served with Davangere cuisines including <em>benne dosa</em> and <em>maldi</em>. Holidays have been declared for selected colleges where competitions will be held, he stated.</p><p>The DC said that first prize winners will be given cash prize of Rs 25,000. Second prize winners will be given Rs 15,000 while third prize winners will be awarded Rs 10,000.</p><p>“Jingles are being prepared to attract the youth and will be shared on social media,” the DC added.</p><p>The DC said there are plans to continue the fruit and flower exhibition going on at the Glass House. On January 6, arrangements have been made for participants to visit tourist spots in the district.</p><p>Scout and Guides, NCC students will work as volunteers. Separate committees have been formed for reception, accommodation, food, and stage arrangements.</p><p>CCTV is being installed at venues and food preparation areas. Food prepared will be tested for safety. National Youth Award recipients and over 20 judges have been invited, the DC said responding to a question.</p><p><strong>Rs 1.5 cr expense</strong></p><p>Deputy Commissioner G M Gangadharaswamy said an estimated Rs 1.5 crore may be spent on organising the youth festival. A grant of Rs 75 lakh is available. A proposal for an additional Rs 50 lakh has been submitted.</p><p><strong>Bus service</strong></p><p>As the competitions will be held on seven stages across four locations, a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ bus service is being launched for visitors as well as local people to all these locations.</p><p>“Four buses have been reserved for this and they will regularly shuttle between the four locations. People can move from one place to another viewing the events,” the DC said.</p><p>ZP CEO Suresh Itnal, Additional DC Lokesh, Additional SP Vijayakumar Santosh, Assistant Commissioner Santosh Kumar, and City Corporation Commissioner Renuka were present.</p>
