Keralam, Telangana Chief Ministers attend Jamboo Savari in Mysuru; Shivakumar stresses harmony among States

Even as Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy participated in the Jamboo Savari, the grand Vijayadashami procession marking the culmination of the Mysuru Dasara, their Karnataka counterpart, D.K. Shivakumar, underscored the need to foster harmony among people of neighbouring States.

Speaking to reporters after performing the customary Nandi Dhwaja pooja at the North Gate of Mysuru palace ahead of the procession, Mr. Shivakumar said people speaking Telugu from Andhra Pradesh, Malayalam from Keralam, and Tamil from Tamil Nadu were among those participating in the festival.

The Cauvery flows through different States, providing water to their people, he said, adding, “We must maintain harmony and live together like brothers and sisters. People living along the borders of our States must also coexist peacefully.”

Tableaux representing neighbouring States were also part of the Dasara procession.

Pointing out that Karnataka attracted people from across the country and the world, Mr. Shivakumar said Bengaluru alone was home to about 45 lakh people from other States who had come there for work. People from different parts of India had made the city their home, he added. “We welcome everyone with affection and embrace them as our own,” he said.

Noting that people from different parts of the world had also arrived to witness the internationally renowned Mysuru Dasara, Mr. Shivakumar said around 13 ambassadors representing various countries were participating in the celebrations at the invitation of the State government.

“Hatred must disappear, and harmony must flourish. Development must reach every household. Ensuring that the light of development reaches every home is our collective resolve,” he said.

Calling for an end to injustice, he expressed the hope that equality would prevail and every citizen would be able to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

“Hardships must disappear, farmers must prosper, and the future of our youth must be bright,” he said.

He said the participation of large numbers of people, particularly young people, in the celebrations was helping spread awareness of the country’s traditions and cultural values.

“This is the true spirit of Dasara,” he said, recalling that the tradition, which began under royal patronage, had continued after the advent of democracy.

“We have preserved the grandeur of the Vijayanagara tradition and are carrying that legacy forward. We must accord the royal family the respect it deserves for its contribution to this tradition,” he said.