Mysuru: Hundreds of women took out a colourful procession from Maharani’s College to Kalamandira this morning as part of Mahila Samskrutika Utsav.

The event was organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture and supported by Maharani’s College of Arts, Science and Commerce, JSS College of Women, Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA), Ravi Varma Chitrakala College, Kalaniketan Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya, Vaijayanthi Mahavidyalaya and various women organisations, litterateurs and artistes.

Colourful rangoli, painting and drawing competitions, exhibition of handicraft products, and dramas by various troupes are the major attractions of the Utsav.

Speaking after inaugurating the event at Kalamandira, Zilla Panchayat President B.C. Parimala Shyam highlighted the contributions of women in various fields besides carving their own niche in the society.

Lamenting that incidents of atrocities and harassment are still continuing against women despite stringent laws enacted for safety of women, she said that a congenial working atmosphere must be created for women with more empowerment and education activities.     

Presiding over the programme, MLA L. Nagendra said that successive governments at the Centre and State have been providing facilities, schemes and opportunities for women without any discrimination. Women leaders, right from Indira Gandhi, Mamatha Banerjee, Uma Bharathi, Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mayawati and Jayalalithaa, have provided able administration in their own capacities, he added.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Anuradha, ZP CEO K. Jyothi, Mahila Kalavidara Sangha President Vasantha Krishna, Vice-President Shanthadevi, Assistant Director of Department of Kannada and Culture H. Chennappa and others were present.