Jayalalithaa row may affect flow of tourists during dasara

The verdict of Bangalore's Special Court against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha property row to leave a dark shadow over dasara activities. The flow of tourists from Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh was expected more during this dasara. Whereas, the Tourism promoters say the verdict will surely affect the flood of tourists from neighbouring states this year.

Tamil Nadu Tourists were coming in large number to watch dasara and also offer puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari during Navaratri. With continuous government holiday, large number of Bangaloreans were also planning to throng Mysore this dasara.

Mysore Travel Agents Association President SP Shanthinath said: “Soon after the verdict is declared Tamil Nadu tourists are asking for the cancellation of bookings. The TN tourists who are already in city are in fix. Some want to go back, while some are planning to take decision studying the intensity of situation. In all, tourist inflow will be definitely decrease during dasara.”

Safe Wheels MD Prashanth said: “We have already received good number of tourists from Chennai and Andhra Pradesh. Even more people are expected in coming two days. We have to wait and watch how people react over the issue. If they decide to step back, tourism will be affected severely in this dasara.”

JP Urs of Mount Kailas Tours and Travels said: “We put all our efforts to convince the tourists not to cancel their programmes. About 12 tourists from TN have booked for October 3 from our travels and so far we have not received any calls.”

Mane Mane Gallery to promote unheard artists

Mane Mane Gallery a new initiative of Dasara Fine Arts Committee to promote unheard artists has not only received huge appreciation from all quarters, while has provided an opportunity for a quite good number of artist who had never exhibited their works in any galleries.

Under this theme, 22 artists in the city have displayed their creative works right in their homes. The Dasara sub-committee has erected a banner right in front of the artist's house, advertising the passersby to visit the gallery in their home and have a look at their works. This initiative by Fine Arts Committee has given a new ray of hope among several artists.

While, some have displayed on their rooftops others have set aside a separate room in their house to exhibit their works. The displayed art works is attracting the art lovers in large. Most of the households are having a visitors of about 40 to 70 per day.

While most artists have chosen the traditional Tanjore and Mysore style paintings there are artists who have displayed modern works, contemporary art works and paintings using acrylic, pencil sketch, theme based paintings, water colour, and other wide variety forms of paintings all drawn in their drawing houses.

“Displaying our art works in a public gallery is not an easy task. Transportation, framing the paintings, rent for the gallery requires lot of money which we cannot afford. The concept has created a platform for us to display our works and has brought a ray of hope that we too can exhibit our works and even sell a few,' said artist Siddaramegowda.

“Even our neighbours were not aware that we were artists. With the Mane Mane Gallery programme the surrounding residents are visiting house in good number and are appreciating our works. Some of them have even placed order. More than recognition, what else is needed for an artist,” says another artist Kumar.

“Most artistes do not get any opportunity of exhibiting their works due to financial constraints and various other issues. This concept has really helped lot. If we get more support, a good development can be seen in the art field,' said another Artist Ananthamurhty.

“For the first time, Dasara Fine Arts Committee has attempted to work with such a novel 'artist centric' programme being held in a very meaningful way. There is sense of satisfaction among us for considering us in the dasara celebrations. We want it to be continued further,” said Artist Kumar.

Committee President Artist Badal Nanjundaswamy, who is the brain child behind the concept says: “To promote unheard artists the programme has been introduced. Three artistes will be given away cash prize of Rs 5,000 to encourage. I wish the concept should continue in the years to come, bringing more number of hidden artists and their talent to public domain.”

Maharani's college students are facing problems

The students of Maharani's college are facing lot of problems, without a proper place to sit. while inside the college premises waiting for the classes to begin. Around 8,500 girls have enrolled in this college for various courses and among them 5,500 girls come from surrounding villages and other rural areas.

Though some of them are residing in the PG Hostel, majority of the girls, in order to reach the college in time, have to leave their houses early in the morning to catch bus. As a result they arrive at the college a couple of minutes earlier sometimes even an hour so and are thus forced to wait inside the college quadrangle till their classes begins. But fortunately they don't have proper place to sit and relax for some time.

Kavya, who comes from Nanjangud says: 'Without proper bench or chairs to sit, we are forced to sit in the open ground and have food. If it rains our plight is unexplainable. There is severe derth for seating place in college premises.”

Another student Gowri says: 'There is need to beautify the college premises and provide basic amenities. When thousands of girls come here to study, arrangements must be made to provide basic facilities.'

“During rainy season, we are forced to have food standing in corridor. If we come we get fully drenched. With the increasing number of students getting enrolled year after year it is becoming difficult to manage. Large number of girls can be seen standing crowded each hour before the class begins ,' added Mahadevi. 

Exclusive organic outlets to promote organic farmers, women

Here comes the time to cheer for growers of organic fruits, vegetables and other farm produces. The Horticulture Department to provide an exclusive sales outlet for all organic growers in the district to sell their products.

It's not just the farmers who will be benefited by this move, but also several women engaged in 'kitchen gardening' and 'terrace gardening', growing vegetables in small quantities on their rooftops and backyards, can earn for their livelihood by selling them at the outlets.

To start with, three 'Raitha Santhe' (Farmers Yard) which has been developed by MUDA in Hebbal, Vijayanagar, and Aravinda Nagar areas, will be handed over to the Horticulture Department shortly. The three outlets will be selling only organic products, run by Jaivika Krushika Society, a State Government undertaking.

Not just vegetables and fruits, but even other food produces that are consumed daily such as milk, gee, millets, rice, pulses and such other items will be available at these outlets. The outlets will provide a direct link between consumers and farmers, observed the Horticulture officials.

The centers not only provide marketing facility for organic growers, but also provides all relevant information to farmers about organic cultivation, seed saving and related issues.

Plans are on the anvil to collect seeds which are at the verge of extinction and preserve them through Seed Bank for future generations. Exhibitions, seminar, seed mela will be conducted at frequent intervals, alongside holding interaction with farmers of neighbouring states to further expand knowledge of farmers.

Horticulture Assistant Director Krishna Kumar said a large number of farmers are slowly switching over to organic cultivation in district and they are being provided training by NGOs at Mysore Taluk, HD Kote, Hunsur Taluk. The certified farmers under Jaivika Krushika Society, can sell their produces in the outlets.

'The training will be held in three stages and apart from motivating them to completely switch over for organic produce, they will be taught about soil fertility, green manure crop, method to be adopted to obtain good yield and facilities offered by the government in this regard. Soon after the board meeting, MUDA will handover the buildings to our Department,' he added.

  

Yellow metal loses its sheen after 2 years

People who had been waiting for the fall, were seen thronging jewellery shops

An unexpected dip in the prices of the yellow metal just after the beginning of the new year for Hindus (Ugadi), has brought cheers among customers, dealers attracting buyers in large number.

After a long spell, this is the first time the prices have come down to the level it was in 2011. The rate has suddenly crashed by Rs 2000 for 10 gram of gold.

Just a month ago the price of 10gm gold was Rs 29,500 (22 carat), and Rs 31,600 for 24 carat while Silver was about Rs 56,000 per kg. Whereas today the prices have plummeted down to Rs 25,550 for 10 gram of 22 carat gold and an approximate of Rs 27,600 for 24 carat. Per kg Silver is about Rs 48,500.

Following fall in prices, the crowd in majority of the jewellery shops on Monday was more than usual. With the marriage season also setting in, the fall in price of gold has brought cheers among many. While most were in a haste to buy at the earliest thinking the prices might go up again.

Housewife Tanuja says “At the earlier rates gold was no longer affordable for a common man. After knowing the prices have come down, I rushed to purcahse some jewels which I had been planning for long.”

Prominent jewelery mart in Mysore MD Sharuddin said that for the past two days the number of buyers have increased and a huge rush is witnessed at the shop.

“Over the past two years the price of gold had been steadily increasing, reaching such astronomical level, that it had turned away gold buyers from the bullion market. But, now we are expecting sales to go up this season as many are investing on it,” said Madan Lal another jewllery mart owner, adding the prices have dropped to what it was in 2011.

"We had never thought of gold prices would crash suddenly by this extent,” said another customer Raghu and added, "I wish the price of gold would decline even further, so that many can invest on it as there is always gurantee of getting back our money."

With May 13 being 'Akshaya thadige', the day considered most auspicious for buying gold, several women were seen booking their favorite jewellery, when the prices have come down.

Summer Camps a hit with parents

Summer Camps a hit with parents, as spending holidays in 'Ajji Mane' becomes 'outdated'

The age old practice of children enjoying their summer holidays by visiting their granny's house has become outdated as summer camps have become a big attraction for parents who can't afford to spend time with their children because of busy schedule.

Though summer camps have brought relief for parents to some extent, grand parents feel its not a good move. Being traditional, cultural country, today's generation people are neither in a position to look into their wards, nor parents. Old people are sent for oldage homes, and children to summer camps.

“The only time I used to spend long time with my grand children was summer. From last two years the children are sent for summer camp in Bangalore, and hardly they visit Mysore for four days or a week. I feel, the concept of leading life has completely changed,” says 72-year-old Yashodamma, who is eagerly looking after her grand children way.

Another 60-year-old granny Lalitha, mother of four says: “Life become misery at old time. After my husband passed away, I did marriage of four and all of them have children. The pain of loneliness cant be explained. Children, grand children are busy in their activities, they even don’t have time to come on occasions.”

While, Parent Rekha says: “We are happy to enroll our children for summer camps. They get new friends, they can enrich their knowledge which will be indeed helpful for their future and to face this competitive world.”

Meanwhile summer camps are mushrooming every year offering wide variety of creative events and games for children. The themes at the camp vary from Indian to Western. While some camps even offering colourful attires for six year old tots.

A few have made good use of the opportunity and converted it into a profitable business by attracting children to their summer camp during these two months of April and May.

Though some organisation are attracting children towards them through introducing rural sports and festival traditions, some concentrate on fitness, martial arts, cricket, football, basketball, swimming, computer classes, camps and wide variety of events.

While some on yoga, meditation, personality development horse ride, camp fire, theatre camps, calligraphy and filigree, cultural, sports, adventure events, kolebasavanna marriage, rural sports, marakoti play, rangoli and much more.

Borewell contractors mint money in drought

With sun scorching and taps running dry in the summer, the demand for digging borewells has tremendously increased in city. Several borewell contractors in the city own around 5 to 6 vehicles and are engaged round the clock digging of borewells earning good money during the drought.

They receive dozens of enquiries over phone everyday asking about costs incurred. According to sources in an average of 5-6 borewells are dug every day in the city and nearby villages from these drillers.

They charge Rs 75 for drilling one feet of bore if the vehicle is bought to the the spot, else the rates differ depending on the distance from where the vehicle is parked and the place of bore. The total approximate cost for digging a bore in the city ranges from Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000 depending on depth.

“Irregular supply of water has caused lot of hardship. Specially during summer our problems were unimaginable. After we placed bourwell water problem has solved for some extent,” said Archana, resident of TK Layout.

Meenakshi who had drilled borewell recently said: “We got the number in yellow pages and contacted the borwell drillers, then indeed came and setup the bore of us.”

Vignesh, who takes agency of digging borewell said that: “The response in summer has gone up and they are having good business.”

Mines and Geology Department GeophysicistsChowdry said the department is getting applications from farmers, government department, whereas not from residents. 

This septuagenarian gives life for hundreds of poor girls, widows

It is said marriages are made in heaven, but the real fact is they need someone here on earth to bring the bride and the groom together. Meet,

this 70-year-old C Sathyanarayan Setty who has given life for hundreds of poor girls, by matching them a right partner and has even arranged alliances for widows, widowers and divorcees about 25 of them in all.

He has arranged more than 1200 alliances without taking a single rupee from last four decades, purely for humanitarian reasons and for a social cause. Seeking financial help from well wishers, donors he has bear the marriage expenses of about 7-8 poor girls.

He always encourages simple marriages and any expectations of giving or taking dowry is not encouraged as most of the brides whom he has arranged marriages hail from poor families.

Another interesting thing of Sathyanaryana is he gives Ayurveda medicines for several diseases. Specially for jaundice, kidney failure, piles, infertility and much more. Among 20 infertility couple he has addressed, 15 couple have obtained positive result. All this done in a free of cost.

Though he is working as a service engineer in a local electronics shop, he takes time off only during weekends to visit the prospective groom's or the bride's place. He gets call from Bidar, Hubli, Karwar, and several other districts. Considering his service he has been awarded with title 'Arya Vaishya Sahasra Kalyana Peetamaha' by Arya Vaishya Maruthi Seva Trust, Badravathi.

Hailing from poor family of Arya Vysya community, he says he couldn't forget the pain he underwent 40 years ago when he was searching for a girl to get married. He says: “After realising how difficult its to search for a life partner, I decided to do something for the scores of girls and boys who could not get married following several problems.”

Prema who had come from Badravathi said she knew Sathyanarayan from last 12 years. “Its because of him, I got married. Bearing marriage expenses he tied my knot 12 years ago. Now, again have come to take Ayurveda treatment following infertility.”

Sharat resident of Mysore said: “Just last week he has meet Sathyanarayan and he is very endeared towards Sathyanarayan's straightforwardness, frankness. He arranges for the interviews after meeting the boy and girl personally and ascertaining their background.”

Election faces...

Awareness programme for Ashodaya Workers

'Voting is not only my right but also my duty and it is a mark of self respect.' This was the message conveyed by the theater artistes here on Thursday, after staging the play at Ashodaya Samithi, which works for the welfare of transgenders and sex workers.

Sex Worker Geetha (name changed) said that the play was not only entertaining but also brought about an awareness amongst voters. The play had an impact and brought change in our views. After watching the play we have decided not to miss my voting right.

Transgender Mala said that majority of them easily get lured by politicians and this play has spread light on such issues. Without yielding for anysorts of efforts by politicians to lure us we should exercise our franchise.

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Lakhs of people educated through SVEEP programme in district

Express News Service

Mysore, April 3

Through SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education And Electoral Participation) lakhs of voters in the district are being educated about the importance of taking part in electoral process.

As many as 31 departments come under SVEEP Committee in district of Mysore and all the departments are involved in educating people in one way or the other.

Through DDPI, around 40,000 first year under-graduate students across the district have been made to take an oath that they will exercise their franchise in the coming elections.

Apart from this, around 90,000 vote taking pledges were distributed amongst high school students to obtain signature from their parents and other family members that they would caste their votes. Of this, more than 72,000 have been returned so far by students obtaining signatures of around 3 lakh people in the voters pledge form.

SVEEP Co-ordinator Praveen said that the response for such educational programmes has been quite good in the district as lakhs of people are being educated through Women and Child Welfare Committee, Women SHGs, Health Department, including library and hostels. He further said that through street plays tribals residing in hamlets of HD Kote and Hunsur Taluk will be educated in the next eight days.

Apart this a vehicle was flagged off by Information Department here on Thursday, displaying a hoarding and banners about the performing art troupes. The vehicle to tour 32 villages in the district in next eight days.

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Election has brought smiles on the faces of khadi sellers

The demand for Khadi has increased with declaration of polls, as such the Khadi shop owners are busy selling varieties of Khadi items.

With election dates approaching closer, campaigning has gained momentum. But the sweltering heat has made campaigning very tiresome, as the candidates and the campaigners have to sweat it out under the hot sun. This has forced them to wear lighter clothes, preferably those made of Khadi, such as hand woven pristine white kurta, pyjama or jubba and dhoti, though the demand for Nehru cap is moderate.

Shops selling Khadi in city said that for the past one month, workers of various political parties have been frequenting their shops seeking Khadi dresses. The pure handmade Khadi dresses, keeps the body cool in summer, the demand for the same has increased.

The white cotton variety is in more demand than the silk, woolen or any other variety. The price for a meter of Khadi white cloth ranges from Rs 140 to Rs 350.

Khadi Gramodyoga Bhandar which has three branches in Mysore is doing good business. Manager Vasu said that the demand for Khadi dresses has gone up this summer and felt that the increase was mainly due to elections. “The quality of Khadi are very good and gives comfort for wearers. It has to be maintained cleanly. No machines are used to prepare this cotton,” he added.

Tripura Khadi Stores R Bhaskar also added that the demand for khadi has increased since the elections were declared. There is about 30 per cent increase in the number of buyers compare to previous year and we have been doing a good business. Apart from politicians, even the party workers and campaigners are preferring cotton dresses, which has pushed up the demand, he added.

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 Election fever has gripped first time voters

Express News Service

Mysore, April 16

Excitement and happiness are the two emotions being experienced by the first time voters who will be exercising their franchise here on Thursday. Speaking to Express, students of several colleges said that they are eagerly waiting to get their thumb inked.

Majority of the students said that they feel great to be part of this big electoral process which has caught the attention of people across country. They said, they will be heading towards AVMs dressing neatly as they go to college every day. While, some were disheartened that there vote will not make any difference to weed out corruption.

Vijaya Vittala College Student Spandana said: “Am happily awaiting to experience this election process, how the EVMs look like and how the arrangement are done. Accompanied with few friends am planning to go on rounds in the city on the election day to know the ambience on the day.”

While, Sumitra, a student of Maharani's College said: “Though I am quite excited, I am also confused as to whom should I cast my vote. I am felling just as anxious as when I write my exams.”

NIE College Student Prayag said: “I am quite thrilled to take part in the electoral process. Exercising our franchise is our responsibility and duty. With more than 40 per cent of the electorate being youngsters, I feel we can bring about a change in the administration.”

“Though election fever has gripped the country, I feel apart from the great excitement the youngsters should think seriously as to whom they should elect as their leaders. No party is completely free of corruptions. It is a big challenge for us to elect the right candidate, which is not happening in this country inspite of being democratic,” regretted Vrunda, art student of Maharani's college, who is keenly observing politics for the past two years.

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Elections have turned into boom for working class people 

Elections have turned into a boom time for these daily wagers, who otherwise had to sweat under the blazing sun for earning a few hundred rupees. 

With lot of manpower is needed for door to door campaigning, distributing pamphlets and interact with voters, the political parties paying a couple of hundreds more than what they earn in their daily work are engaging the construction workers, daily wage employees, housemaids, carpenters and other such odd jobbers, including the students for canvassing. 

With count down begins for elections, majority of the daily wage employees are taking leave from their routine work, and are campaigning for political parties. If they campaign for over time they will be paid extra. PUC students who are now having summer vacation were also seen distributing pamphlets in several localities. The students said that they are paid extra for petrol, apart from getting Rs 100 to Rs 150 per day for canvassing.   

Even housemaids are busy with campaigning after completing their work. Apart from this several Self Help Groups are also busy sending their members for canvasing. The choice of the party depends on the money they pay. 

The campaigners say: 'By putting little effort we can earn thousands within a week. We will be earning around Rs 4000 to Rs 5,000 in a month during the poll time, with provided food. (An average of Rs 200 to Rs 500 per day). The job of canvasing is free of tension.”   

Housemaid Mamtha said: “After completing house work, I start campaigning. The extra earned money will be used for my children's education.” Another woman who rolls Beedies at Hanumanthanagar said: "Me and two others are busy campaigning for a national party from last ten days. We are earning more than what we get by rolling beedies." 

A carpentry shop owner at Kesare who had employed four people said that all them have taken to canvas in the elections resulting in delays to deliver pending orders on time. While, contractor Bavasavaraju said that the construction workers taking leave has increased soon after elections were declared. “Though we have hiked the daily wages by another Rs 25 they are sill taking leave and am finding it difficult to search workers to complete the urgent projects.  

Areas like  Vidyaranyapuram, TK Layout, Shanthinagar, Ghousia Nagar, Udayagiri, NR Mohalla, Kesare, Hanmanthanagar, and where majority of working class or daily wage labourers reside seem to be immensely benefited. 

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This initiative to facilitate voters of Azeez Sait Nagar

Express News Serivce 

Mysore, April 14 

Despite several measures being taken by Election Commission of India to facilitate voters on the polling day, voters searching for their

names in electoral rolls on polling day and wandering from one polling station to another is a common sight. But the people of Azeez Sait Nagar, which comes under Narasimharaja Constituency, may not face such problem this time around. 

To ease the burden of residents, ward No 55 Corporator KC Showkath Pasha has introduced an novel imitative in his ward.

He has placed the details of 12,068 voters of 13 booths which comes under his ward on a wooden board. The details have been placed based on the booth wise, polling station and the room they have to exercise their franchise. The details are informed in both Urdu and English languages.

The boards are being displayed in front of mosque, major circles where footfalls are more. The people visiting mosque, looking at their photos in the voter list are knowing about the polling station.

Even the children in large number were seen searching for the photos of family members and helping them to know their voting Station. 

“Majority of the residents at Azeez Sait Nagar or labourers mainly agarbathi and beedi workers. They are illiterates, and don't have access to advanced technology. The initiative has helped them lot to identify their polling booth without much struggle.

“First we come to know whether our name is there in voting list. By

identifying the photos, we are informing to our relatives, friends where they can exercise their franchise. Previous year, we were running from one polling station to other to cast our vote. Whereas, this time we have come to known four days early the polling stating and even the room,” said Shamshed Begum.

“By having a look at the voters list, I came to know my name is missing in the voter ID. Now, am planning to vote carrying my identity proofs,” added Nazma. 

Corporator said that the plan has benefited more than 40 per cent of people and on the polling day they will display the boards in the radius of 200 mts. This will avoid the crowd in the polling station too. He has also erected ten hoardings from last ten days in the ward, asking people to exercise their franchise without fail. 

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As many as 17,21,197 voters to exercise franchise for 15 candidates 

Express News Service

Mysore, April 15

As many as 17,21,197 voters, out of which 8,54,665 women voters to decide the fate of 15 candidates in the Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha Constituency.  The election will take place on April 17 from 7 am to 6 pm at 1,973 polling stations. 407 booths are categorised as hyper-sensitive, 564 as sensitive and 1,017 as general.

Eight mustering and de-mustering centers have been identified in the constituency. About 2,367 electoral officers, 2,367 assistant electoral officers and 4,734 polling officers have been appointed for 1,973 polling booths. In each polling station six officers will be rendering the service. 

Apart this, 423 vehicles to transport the polling officers, which include 331 KSRTC Bus, 68 Matador, and 329 light motor vehicles. 

Video Camera and Micro Observer has been placed at selected booths. Web casting system have been made at 120 Hyper-sensitive and vulnerable polling station. 

Use of mobile phones, cameras at polling stations and broadcasting, publishing of exit polls report is prohibited on April 17 from 7 am to 6 pm. Counting is on May 16 from 8 am onwards at Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering.  

The voters have to produce Passport, Driving License, PAN card,  Aadhaar card or any other documents as ID proof to exercise the franchise.  

Measures taken by cops 

Mysore City Police Commissioner MA Saleem has stated in a release that appropriate measures have been taken to protect law and order and ensure the elections are held peacefully.

Stating additional police personnel will be beefed up in hyper sensitive booths, he has said that 806 polling booths come under Mysore City Police limits, out of which 222 are hyper sensitive, 64 very sensitive and 312 sensitive and 272 general.     

Cases booked 

48 cases has been registered in the Mysore District after Election Code of Conduct were declared. FIR has been booked in 33 cases. Rs 58.58 lakh cash, 4500 sarees and 185 liter alcohol beverages has been seized. 

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Women voters exceed men in three constituency

Express News Service

Mysore, April 16 

As per the electoral records, the number of registered women voters exceed the number of males in three constituencies out of eight, in the forthcoming Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha Elections.

As many as 106481 women (men 104326) voters will be exercising their franchise at Madikeri, while 1,14,599 at Krishnaraja Constituency (113756 men) and 1,13,841 voters at Narasimharaja constituency  against 1,13,202 male voters. The difference in the men and women voters in the three constituencies are 2155, 843 and 639 respectively.

While there is thin difference in the number of women voters at Virajpet. The men top by only 56 in the constituency. There are 10,4224 women voters against 10,4280 men voters. 

Apart  from this, 141 others (transgenders, sexual minorities) will exercise their franchise in the constituency.   

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In the close heels, of a woman Jayamma had complained with Chief Miniser Siddaramaiah against his personal assistant Kumar urinating in front of her house, the officials of Mysore City Corporation are planning to provide toilet facility. 

Hundreds of people throng to CM's house during his arrival to hometown and they are not provided with basic facilities. It has even  caused inconvenience for neighbours too. Thus, plans are being made to construct toilet room inside the premises of Chief Minister Siddaramaih's house at Saradadevi Nagar. 

The construction of toilets will ease the burden of BP, Sugar, Diabetic patients who will be waiting for hours together to discuss their problems with CM. 

As per the sources, the people visitng CM”s house had a tough time without toilet facility in the locality and it was challenging task for visitors to attend the nature call. Left with no other choice the visitors attend the nature call where they feel convinent.  

MCC Bhyrappa said that the provision to construct the public toilet in the area is difficult, whereas there is a proposal to construct toilet in the backyard of CM's house and the decision will be taken after elections.  

After Jayamma had complained that Kumar was urinating in front of her house, and assaulting her family members for objecting him.  

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People headed towards polling booths with smiling faces 

Express News Service

Mysore, April 17

The scene at the 16th Lok Sabha elections was totally different unlike in the past. Residents in most residential localities were seen heading towards their respective polling booths quite early in the morning, not waiting for the day to set in. Some were seen already making a beeline at the tables of the polling agents from 6.30 am.      

Thanks for the repeated awareness programmes by various organisations including SVEEP, exhorting people to vote, seems to have a desired effect. The people were seemed determined to ensure they exercised their franchise without fail.  

Residents of Yadavagiri, renowned as Pensioner’s Paradise, Gokulam, Vijayanagar, Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram, Ramakrishnanagar were seen standing in queue from 6.30 am itself. While many stood patiently, some even 30 minutes, in long queues, before casting vote.   

For some their early morning brisk walk ended up at the polling booth as they caste their votes before heading back home. Women were also seen in large numbers standing in queue sharp at 7 am to cast their votes. 

A resident of Gokulam, Cheluvaraj, who was casting his vote for fourth time said that “compared to the past three elections, the response is good this year, as more number of people were coming in to cast their votes. I feel people have realised that voting was the only way to bring the desired change.”

Another resident of Kuvempunagar, Noorulla, who is a fruit vendor  said: “I open my shop daily around 6.30 am. I had displayed a notice board stating on the polling day, the shop will be opened only by 8 am as my priority today was to caste my vote first. Me and my family members  exercised our franchise as soon the polling booth opened.”

Geetha, a resident of Saraswathipuram said: “Every day I come to walk in the evening. But today I decided to vote first, so I came out early in the morning as I didn't want to let go of my voting right today.”   

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Youngsters views.. 

Express News Service

Mysore, April 17 

Majority of the youngsters, including the first time voters have exercised their franchise only after thoroughly understanding and accepting the ideologies in the party. 

Speaking to Express, some of the youngsters in the age group of 18 to 35 years said that they want their leader to eradicate corruption from country, to improve the country, solve unemployment problem, eradicate poverty, women empowerment, and other address the burning issues strongly. Thus, studying the details of every candidate  we have cast vote for candidate who has good leadership qualirty. 

Voter Nikhil Kashyap said: “Watching budget from last two weeks, learning about parties have voted for a right candidate. I want India to shine.”

Voter Sanjana said she had cast vote for the candidate who has the guts to face the burning problems of country and give importance for women empowerment. 

While Deepit Sapru said: “We youngsters have decided to vote who work for the country, more than for themselves and their party. Discussing with several thinkers, keenly observing the debates have caste our vote. 

First time voter Thiruch said: “Voting was very excitement and was fascinating. The moment is unforgettable in my life. Have made sure that I have voted for a right candidate.”

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They had voter ID card, but their names were missing in list !

Express News Service

Mysore, April 17 

They had voter ID card, but their names were missing in list ! People wandering from one booth to other checking their names in the voter list was common sight witnessed in all the booths. 

What was surprising is at most of the booths the entire family members names were missing in the voter list, though they had the voter ID card. The people were seen inquiring and struggling hard to know their names in the voter list by checking the list with all those were helping near booths.

Family members of Sharada say: “Once we enroll the names how can the names go missing, without our notice. We had voted in the same booth five years ago. Following personnel reason we could not vote at Assembly elections. This is sad that our names have been removed from voter list.”  

While, the concerned citizen Nagaraj said that its the responsibility of the every citizen to oftenly check their names in the voter list. Its very unfortunate that amidst several awareness programmes the people had failed to check their name in the voter ID list, he regretted. 

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eom/mys/rathna