By reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Aug. 20: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy announced that Gandhian and journalist G Narayan will inaugurate the Mysore Dasara celebrations this year.

Addressing media persons, after attending a function here, Kumaraswamy said that Narayan has accepted the invitation of the Government and will formally inaugurate the Dasara celebrations on Sept. 23 at the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill in Mysore.

Plans are underway to celebrate the festival on a grand scale and funds have been released for the purpose, he said.

G Narayan is a native of Deshahalli near Maddur in Mandya district and is a recipient of Rajyotsava and other awards including Nadoja award.

He was the Mayor of Bangalore, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat and was the President of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana once. He had served in the journalism field for a long time as the editor of humour magazine Vinoda and the Government had availed his services at various stages.

The names of litterateur Chennaveera Kanavi, space scientist U R Rao, theatre personality Girish Karnad and cricketer Rahul Dravid had figured in the high-level meeting held to choose the dignitary to inaugurate Mysore Dasara.