The forthcoming Dasara will be preceded by a publicity blitz to drive both domestic and international tourism – the mainstay of the local economy.
This was decided at the Dasara Executive Committee meeting here on Friday. District in-charge Minister G.T. Deve Gowda, Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh, and other elected representatives from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar reviewed the preparations and said that the various sub-committees, 14 in all, would be finalised in a few days.
The authorities will also seek ₹25 crore from the State government for the Naada Habba as against ₹15 crore which was released last year in an indication that the government will scale up events. The amount will not only be utilised for a slew of cultural events but also to repair key arterial roads besides sprucing up parks.
Mr. Deve Gowda said in a bid to give a boost to tourism, a few concessions including lifting vehicle entry tax for taxis and chartered buses from other States to Mysuru, will also be announced to ensure that the tourism sector does not feel the pinch of the perceived drop in the number of visitors from Kerala because of the recent floods. “We have already sounded off Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy about entry tax issue and a positive decision will be announced in a couple of days,” he added.
Mr. Mahesh said the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is in talks with aviation companies to explore the possibilities of reintroducing Akash Ambari – chartered flights from Bengaluru to Mysuru – on subsidised rates to bring in more tourists.
The thrust is on tourism and so Dasara will be promoted at important national and international airports, road shows etc., to lure more visitors As a first step in this direction, heritage-styled sign boards will be installed across the city to help provide proper orientation to tourists. The authorities are also planning open-top bus hop-in hop-off circuit tour of Mysuru – ‘Mysuru Darshana’ – during the festival for which discussions are in the final stage, he added.
The committee has conceded a long-pending demand of the artistes who participate in various events of Dasara and given them an opportunity to participate in the procession.
The district in-charge said there cannot be a rehearsal of the Jumboo Savari but all artistes will be part of the elephants daily rehearsal of marching along the procession route. “The artistes will join the elephants on the last day of the route familiarisation march from the palace to the Bannimantap grounds,” he said.
The Dasara air show is in the offing and the Minister expressed confidence of conducing it this year while a kite show has also been finalised to see more public participation in the festivities. Women’s Dasara, Yuva Dasara, Raitha Dasara, etc., will be held as usual the details of which will be finalised by September 25.