Mysore/Mysuru: District Minister S.T. Somashekar and Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil distributed ration kits to associate cinema artistes and amateur theatre artistes affected by COVID pandemic. The kits were distributed at a programme organised under the joint aegis of Kannada and Culture Department and Mysuru District Amateur Theatre Artistes Forum at Kalamandira premises on Hunsur Road here on Wednesday.

Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director H. Chennappa said that District  Minister Somashekar has sponsored 520 kits, which were  distributed to 120 associate cinema artistes and 400 theatre artistes. The Minister has also assured of sending more kits if required, he added.

Chennappa pointed out that earlier, a total of 600 kits, including 300 sponsored by MCDCC Bank President G.D. Harish Gowda and 300 provided by Artistes Welfare Association were distributed.

The 520 kits provided by the District Minister have been distributed among those who did not get ration kits then, he noted.

Continuing, he said that there are about 4,500 artistes in Mysuru district, out of which 2,000 are in Mysuru City alone.

Vaccination Drive: District Minister Somashekar also launched the vaccination drive for artistes at Kiru Rangamandira in Kalamandira premises.

Speaking on the occasion, Chennappa said that vaccination of artistes has been launched. Pointing out that 400 artistes will receive jabs in the first phase, he said that the Department will take measures for getting more doses of the vaccine based on demand.

DC Dr. Bagadi Gautham, MUDA Chairman H.V. Rajeev, MyLAC Chairman N.V. Phaneesh, ZP CEO A.M. Yogesh, MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, DCP M.S. Geetha Prasanna, Mysuru District Amateur Theatre Artistes Forum President Suresh Babu, Hon. Advisor Rajashekar Kadamba, theatre artistes Basavalingaiah, Ramachandra and others were present on the occasion.