Mysore:
The authorities are giving an opportunity for rural people to visit tourist spots like Mysore Palace, Mysore Zoo and Chamundi Hills during Dasara all for just Rs 50.

Dasara Darshan, a novel initiative launched by former district minister Shobha Karandlaje four years ago, aims at bringing around 10,500 villagers from Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu districts. The initiative is to enable them to see the city in all its grandeur during the festive season. The initiative has been a hit with many villagers, who have benefitted from Darshan, appreciating the initiative.

Under the project, people from 29 taluks in these districts will be brought to Mysore for sight-seeing and then be taken back to their places in KSRTC buses between October 17 and 22.

KSRTC (urban) divisional controller M N Srinivas, secretary of Dasara Darshan sub-committee, told reporters that they have met the tahsildars of the respective taluks. They have been assigned the task of selecting the villagers. “We are reserving 200 buses for the project. This arrangement will, however, not affect the bus services,” he added.

Committee chief H M Sunandaraj said: “I have requested the district minister to provide additional 100 buses to bring rural women to Mysore.” Vice-president Kirankumar said around 12-15 villagers will be selected from each gram panchayat.

The committee has been given Rs 15 lakh for Dasara Darshan. In addition to this, it will raise Rs 5.25 lakh from tickets, which will be utilized for arranging transport. Srinivas said one official will be deployed in each bus to safely ferry the villagers to Mysore and back. They will be picked-up at their respective taluk headquarters. “We are also reserving medical staff as a precautionary measure,” the DC stated.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Lawrence Milton, TNN / October 12th, 2012