In these days of gender-equality, achieved after defying the much loathed gender-discrimination, our city seems to pioneer a new trend beginning this Dasara with an All-Women Team, except for some space for men too, well geared to conduct this year’s Dasara and the District administration as well. Here is how and why.—Ed

Women power will be at the helm of affairs this Dasara as they will share the responsibility of organising and monitoring the Dasara events that begins in city from Sept.25.

The officers in-charge are Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha, who is also the Dasara Special Officer, Mysore In-charge Secretary and Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Women and Child Development and Empowerment of Differently-Abled and Senior Citizens Dr. Amita Prasad, Regional Commissioner Rashmi V. Mahesh, Additional Deputy Commissioner M.S. Archana, Assistant Commissioner Syeda Ayesha, ACP (K.R. Sub-Division) B.T. Kavitha. This apart, ZP President Dr. B. Pushpa Amarnath and Mayor N.M. Rajeshwari Somu will also be an integral part of the Dasara celebrations.

DC Shikha, who has the experience of organising Dasara 2013, is expected to conduct this year’s festival with ease. Shikha was also lauded by the general public for successful conduct of 2013 Assembly Elections and 2014 General Elections in Mysore. She previously worked as Managing Director of CESC in Mysore.

Deputy Commissioner Shikha being the Special Officer for the Dasara celebrations will have the responsibility of co-ordinating with various committees and Ministers while planning this year’s festivities.

It is not only her; Shikha will have the guidance of senior IAS officer Dr. Amita Prasad, who is currently the Mysore In-charge Secretary. Having held the post for five years, Amita Prasad has been lending her valuable suggestions to the officials on conducting Dasara activities. Another officer who would be a part of Dasara festivities is Regional Commissioner Rashmi V. Mahesh. A 1996 batch IAS officer, Rashmi passed her IAS examination at the age of 22 years. She has the previous experience of working as Assistant Commissioner in Hassan, Mysore ZP CEO, Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner, Joint Commissioner of Excise Department, Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and also in Department of Medical Education. She has now replaced M.V. Jayanthi as the Regional Commissioner of Mysore Division.

This apart, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha will be supported by Additional Deputy Commissioner M.S. Archana and Assistant Commissioner Syeda Ayesha, both native of Mysore. While, the officers take charge of the overall activities, ACP (K.R. Sub-Division) B.T. Kavitha, will be in-charge of monitoring the security while the Dasara events take place at various venues.

Adding to the list of women who will be at the helm of affairs this Dasara will be Mysore Zilla Panchayat President Dr. B. Pushpa Amarnath, who has been given the charge of organising Raitha Dasara and Grameena Dasara. This apart, she will also be leading the green campaign during Dasara festivities. Chief Minister Siddharamaiah considering her suggestion has banned the use of flowers and bouquets to welcome the guests during the 10-day festival. Instead, the guests would be greeted with saplings.

Mayor N.M. Rajeshwari Somu will also play a vital role in Dasara, being a member of the Dasara Reception Sub-Committee. Dasara being the festival that revolves around Goddess Chamundeshwari and women being entrusted the job of organising the 10-day extravaganza, this year’s Dasara is all set to celebrate the women in power.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  / September 09th,  2014