Curtains come down on grand Mysuru Dasara festival
Mysuru (PTI): Curtains came down on the 10-day Dasara festival with the grand finale in the form of 'Jamboo Savari' in this royal city on Tuesday.
An impressive procession of caparisoned elephants with the deity of Mysuru city Chamundeshwari enthroned on a 750 kg golden 'houdah' of the pilot 'jambo' Abhimanyu was held from the front of the imposing Mysuru palace.
The procession was led by the cavalry of the Karnataka police.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa, the titular king of Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and the members of the royal family paid obeisance to Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister took part in the Nandi Dhwaja Pooja.
In celebrating the 'Naada Habba' or the state festival, the city wore a grand look as it was decorated with colourful lighting. Various cultural events took place as well.
A grand tableaux of 31 districts of the state and various important government departments were displayed in the procession from in front of the palace, depicting their unique features.
Ballari district showcased the cultural aspects of the Hakki-Pikki tribes while Belagavi district displayed a model of the historic Mahalingeshwara temple.
Bengaluru Urban district showcased the achievement of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3, while Kolar presented the Gaarudi dance, Bidar focused on the distinct wildlife and Chamarajanagar exhibited a model of the famous Male Mahadeshwara temple. Chikkamagaluru created a display of the diverse flora and fauna as well as the aromatic coffee produced in the district.
Kushti is also among the key attractions along with the various cultural events during these 10 days.
The festival culminated as the procession reached Bannimantap from the palace.
Thousands of people had thronged to watch the grand finale of the Dasara celebrations. People from across the globe visit this royal city to witness the magnificent sights, famous worldwide for their regal splendour.
Vijayadashami or Dasara is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil as Goddess Chamundeshwari killed Mahishasura. She later made the hill nearby her abode, which came to be known as Chamundi Hills after the Goddess herself.
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NADA suspends Bajrang Punia for four years for violation of anti-doping code
New Delhi, Nov 26: The National Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday suspended Bajrang Punia for four years for his refusal to provide his sample for dope test on March 10 during selection trials for the national team.
NADA had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the World Governing body UWW had also suspended him.
Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 till NADA issues the notice of charge.
NADA, then on June 23 served the notice to the wrestler.
Bajrang, who joined Congress along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat and was given charge of All India Kisan Congress, had challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4.
"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.
"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete’s period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024.
"Needless to say that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years."
Bajrang has maintained since the beginning that he was given extremely prejudicial and unfair treatment with respect to doping control because of his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang also maintained that he never refused to give sample but only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he sought answer why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.
NADA also explained the reason for its action, saying that the Chaperone/DCO had duly approached him and informed that he was required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.
Bajrang in his written submission said that the conduct of NADA in two previous instances had created mistrust in the athlete's mind, especially with NADA failing to acknowledge or even respond to their callous approach towards the doping control process in both such instances, the failure to take responsibility for their action pertaining to their dispersal of duties meant that the athlete was morally bound to take a stance in resort as a senior athlete who holds a voice in the sporting community.
Bajrang also said "it was not an outright refusal per se. The athlete was always willing to provide his sample provided that he first received a response from NADA concerning the use of expired kits."
However NADA said, "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate" and that "Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021."
