Sudha Murty sets Mysuru Dasara in motion

Says Infosys Foundation will spend Rs 25 crore to construct houses in flood-hit Kodagu district

Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty inaugurated the Mysuru Dasara atop the Chamundi Hill, by offering floral tributes to the deity of Chamundeshwari, during the auspicious Tula Lagna at 7.30 am, on Wednesday.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, District in-charge Minister G T Devegowda, Ministers Sa Ra Mahesh and Rajshekhar Basvaraj Patil, JD(S) state president A H Vishwanath, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha and the family members of Sudha Murty, including her husband N R Narayana Murthy, were present.

Hundreds of people witnessed the inaugural ceremony of the 10-day festival. Earlier, the ministers and others visited the temple and had the darshan of the deity of Chamundeshwari.

During her inaugural address, Sudha Murty announced that the Infosys Foundation would spend Rs 25 crore to construct houses in the flood-hit Kodagu district and asked the government to provide civic amenities including roads and safe drinking water.

She said, the foundation would construct a walking path at Hebbal lake in Mysuru at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The foundation has already spent Rs 38 crore for the desilting and development of the lake.

Sudha Murty recalled the contributions of poets such as Pampa and said, “I am proud to be a Kannadiga.”

Recalling the contributions of the Wadiyar kings, she said, "The Wadiyars continued Dasara celebrations after the fall of Vijayanagara empire. Today, Kannada is a prominent language due to the contributions of Wadiyars in development of the language," she said.

Kumarasawamy said, Sudha Murty was selected for the inauguration of Dasara as she has the heart of a mother. "Infosys’ contributions to the state are remarkable. It contributed Rs 200 crore for Bengaluru Metro and Rs 22 crore for upgrading the Cyber Crime unit, last week. Apart from providing jobs to thousands, Infosys is serving the state in more ways than one," he said.

MP Pratap Simha said, the Infosys Foundation has been donating Rs 10 lakh to the family members of martyred soldiers since three years.