Kite festival to add to zest to Dasara festivities

In an effort to promote Dasara-2018, the district administration has come up with several events this year, including motor sports, kite festival and cultural events.

For the first time, Automotive Sports Club of Mysuru (ASCOM), in association with Tourism Department and the district administration, is organising ‘Mysuru Dasara Gravel Fest’, a motor sport. Besides, a kite festival and also cultural events, have been scheduled.

Dasara Gravel Fest will be held at Lalith Mahal Grounds in the city on October 7. Top drivers from across the country will be participating in the event and will showcase their driving skills and other techniques like negotiating fast curves, sharp corners and flying off a ramp.

The event will be held under eight categories, based on the engine capacity of the cars. There is also a special section to encourage the youths of Mysuru. The ASCOM will present a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and trophies for the fastest driver and the winners.

To keep the event safe for both spectators and race drivers, the three kilometre track will be barricaded.

A team of doctors and an ambulance will be stationed at the venue. The entire track and the spectator stands will be under the vigilance of the police.

The kite festival will be held on September 29 and 30 at Lalith Mahal Helipad. Professional kite fliers from Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Mangaluru will participate. Workshop and cultural events have also been scheduled. District in-charge Minister G T Devegowda and Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh launched the poster at Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday. Devegowda said several events have been scheduled pre-Dasara to attract more people. To give an opportunity to local artistes, several cultural events have planned at hobli and taluk levels, he said.

The minister also explained that in an effort to give an opportunity to more artistes, a mini Dasara procession will be held on Sunday, October 14. The elephants will also be a part of the October 14 procession. However, the final Jamboo Savari will be held on October 19, on Vijayadashami Day, he said.

The minister said, Yuva Dasara will be held between October 11 and 17.

Minister Sa Ra Mahesh said he will hold a discussion with Tourism Director and other officials on Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar’s role in popularising tourism as he has been appointed the Tourism brand ambassador for old Mysuru region.

The minister will visit France to participate in the Tourism Rally and the meeting will be convened after his return.

DC Abhiram G Sankar, City Police Commissioner Dr A S Rao, SP Amit Singh, DCPs N Vishnuvardhana, Vikram Amte and others were present.