MGP’s monthly public meeting provided an opportunity to the participants to share their personal experiences of recently concluded Dasara. There was a feeling that this Dasara was high on publicity and claims and not so high on the basics. Even though it was claimed that around 6 lakh people witnessed Dasara no toilet facilities were made available all along the route. So much so, a member who has worked as Traffic Warden during the Dasara procession shared his experience of the participants in the procession, particularly women participants searching for non existing mobile toilets . Their agony was writ large on their faces. And
this was the pathetic situation of women participants at a time when we had three leading ladies in charge of Dasara arrangements and astride horses, a Deputy Commissioner, Zilla Parishad Chairperson and the City Mayor!
There was inadequate arrangement for drinking water all along the procession route, particularly for the participants of the procession.
Some members found traffic control efforts around the Harding Circle very inadequate as the Flower Show in the Kuppanna Park had generated huge traffic. Similarly the evening traffic generated by public desirous of viewing night illumination, particularly from Ramaswamy Circle to the palace and around palace was totally chaotic. The presence of thousands of hawkers and vendors made the life of the visitors miserable.
It was felt that the entire stretch of area around the palace should have been made no private vehicle zone and no hawking zone. Only city bus services should have been made available to the public all around the palace. Home Guards or even the police were not sensitized about their duties towards the public as most of the time they were there without any specific knowledge of their duties. Except of course, shooing the crowds.
Non telecast of entire dasara procession and the cultural programmes particularly the Music, Song and Dance deprived the elderly public of the pleasure of witnessing them. Despite it being flaunted as a world famous event why telecasting is not done via national private channels is a mystery. And with regard to the commentary on the Doordarshan less said the better. They were dialogue between too many commentators rather than facilitating dispensation of information. It was advised that concerned people should listen to the commentary and make necessary modification at least during next Dasara.
Despite release of funds there was no visible improvement on the condition of roads in the city. KRS road was given as an illustration. There was a feeling that some of the earnings generated by, Dasara Exhibition, parking etc in the Doddakare Maidan goes to the Government whereas it should have rightfully belonged to Mysore City as it bears the brunt of these celebrations.
There was appreciation for some innovative lighting and illumination all around the city. Even though some members made mention of far better illumination at Kudroli festival in Mangalore from which the organizers could a borrowed a few ideas to make illumination more attractive. Similarly restriction on number of similar looking programmes and visible attempt to barricade the Ambari drew appreciation. That the precious heritage Hawda was very securely and uprightly tied on the Ambari this time was noted. It was also noted that the entire route was cleared of the garbage that very night and by early morning the area was absolutely clean. Kudos to MCC.
Participants on the whole felt that it is time that Dasara, flaunted as world famous event, needed some out of the box ideas. Every year all major decisions are postponed to the last few days and then hectic arrangements are made some how to get over the event. This was 404th Dasara, a long history of learning should have gone by. But there seems to be no a trace of it every year!! Where is the need for inventing an emblem every year? And that too by minor modification of direction of the face of the elephant in the emblem!!! A new poster every year? A new design for the Public Assistance Booths? With 404 Dasara behind us we should have been a model to the world in organizing an annual event like this. But are we? It was felt that this would be possible only and if it is not treated a san opportunity or a booty to be shared among political supporters or bureaucratic favorites. It should be done by committed professions. Since it is not only a heritage event but also probably the only such large event in entire state, why can’t we have a permanent body in charge of this event? Why should DC, Minister in Charge of District and such others, who are enough on their hands, be burden with this decision as well?
Meeting was presided over by President MGP Sri.R.Chandra Prakash. It was attended by working president Sri. Shivshankar, Executive Members Ms.Shobhana, Major General Dr.Sudhir Vombatkere, Dr.Sekar Iyer, Treasurer, Sri.Sheshadri, Secretary Sri.Vishwas Krishna, members. Jayaram, Dwaranath Narayan, Prof.B.S.Shankara, and members of public.