From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 5: Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar is among the six names short-listed by the Karnataka Government to do the honours of inaugurating this year’s world famous Dasara festivities on October 1.

This year’s Naada Habba Dasara will be an 11-day affair unlike the usual 10-day event.

A High-level Empowered Committee meeting chaired by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah in Bengaluru on Thursday decided to conduct the Jumboo Savari and the torch light parade on October 11 as part of Dasara-2016.

The committee has short-listed six names of well-known personalities.

The names of the six eminent short-listed personalities are: Suttur seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, poets Prof K S Nissar Ahmed, Dr ChannaveeraKanavi and novelist Dr S L Bhyrappa.

It may recalled that progressive farmer Puttaiah was chosen to inaugurate the event last year owing to drought.

Addressing a news conference after the meeting, the Chief Minister said a final decision on selection of a personality for inauguration would be decided by the Dasara Working Committee, which would meet August 9.

According to the almanac or panchanga, Vijayadashami would be celebrated as October 11 while October 1 is marked as Navaratri, the day on which the festivities normally begin.

The Chief Minister said that this year’s Dasara will have Yuva Dasara and other Dasara-related activities.

The celebrations will be held keeping in mind the cultural aspects and the need to attract tourists to Mysuru.

Dasara festivities would be inaugurated atop Chamundi Hill on October 1, Saturday, at 11.40 am by offering puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari.

The Chief Minister has instructed the Mysuru district administration to make sure that the stalls at Dasara Exhibition were also inaugurated on October 1 itself and not later.