District Minister S A Ramdas on Thursday said that 26 royal families from different parts of the country have been invited to participate in the Dasara festivities beginning from October 16 to showcase the rich local traditions and culture.
After flagging off a procession of World Tourism Day celebrations at Balarama Gate, Ramdas said that eight among 26 royal families have already accepted the invite.
Invitations have also been sent to 70 ambassadors of various countries. Troupes from 20 countries have been invited for the cultural exchange.
He said that the government is planning to introduce sound and light programmes at various tourism spots, starting at Chamundi Hills, and the works are expected to be completed before Dasara.
A slew of measures have been taken up to improve tourism and 108 film shooting spots identified in and around Mysore will be developed. Mysore Travel Agents Association felicitated journalist Echanuru Kumar, tourist guide S R Prasad, M Srinivas and D G Nagesh attached to the City Traffic Police.
Student Visa Ramdas said the government is holding talks with Union Human Resource Development Ministry to provide student visa to foreigners wanting to learn yoga in Mysore.
At present, though many foreigners are coming to learn yoga, they stay on tourist visas which have to be renewed to complete the course. The government is also planning to offer diploma courses in yoga in 10 government medical colleges and hospitals in the state, he said.
Info Counter Opened A Tourism Information Counter was inaugurated at the City Railway Station on Thursday by SWR Sr Divisional Commercial Manager Dr Anup Dayanand Sadhu. The counter will provide all kinds of information to tourists like places to visit and accommodation.
Kids of Mahouts Suffering from Scabies
Most children of mahouts and kavadis, people who assist mahouts, were found to be underweight and suffering from scabies during a health check-up camp conducted on Thursday.
The medical camp was held only for children of mahouts and kavadis taking part in Dasara festival. Of the 20 children screened by a team of Ayush doctors, 15 were found to have scabies, a contagious skin infection. A health check-up camp for mahouts and kavadis will be held on Friday.
Meanwhile, a 15-day camp for yoga classes and alternative school for mahouts, kavadis and their children began on Thursday on the Mysore palace premises.
During the session 20 children and 10 mahouts and kavadis were taught surya namaskar, yoga walk, pranayama and asanas by yoga guru and Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishtana secretary Raghavendra Pai.
This is for the fourth year that these classes are being held.
Pai said the mahouts and kavadis living in forests are free from blood pressure, asthma and obesity problems.
“Back pain and joint pain are common among them, which they can overcome by practising yoga. The kids have good stamina and with the concentration they develop from yoga, they could do well in sports,” he added.
At the alternative school they were taught English and Kannada alphabets.
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