COVID warrior Dr C N Manjunath inaugurates world-famous Mysuru Dasara

Mysuru: Noted doctor and corona warrior Dr C N Manjunath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17 inaugurate the world-famous Dasara festival by offering floral tribute to the idol of Goddess Chamundeswari housed at a silver mantap atop Chamundi hills.

Addressing the occasion after inaugurating the festival, Dr Manjunath said, “COVID warriors who died because of the virus should be addressed as martyrs. I sought Goddess Chamundeswari to help us find a vaccine to COVID-19 at the earliest.”

Enthusiasm is running high in Mysuru as the 10-day-long Dasara festival, the biggest annual celebration in Mysuru begun despite the fact the COVID-19 pandemic has taken away much of its sheen and it is going to be a much-muted affair.

With Mysuru being the second worst-affected after Bengaluru in the state by the pandemic, the world-famous Dasara fest, including the victory parade to mark the triumph of good over evil on Vijayadashmi day will be confined to the Amba Vilas royal palace.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, deputy CMs Govinda M Karajola, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Mr Lakshman Sangappa Savadi, Mysuru district in-charge minister S T Somashekar, minister for culture and tourism C T Ravi, and endowment minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari will participate. Union ministers D V Sadanandgowda and Mr Prahlad Joshi Chamundeswari constituency MLA G T Devegowda, Mysuru mayor Taslim, zilla panchayat chairperson B C Parimala Shyam were also present.