Mysuru:  The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) had organised a cleanliness drive as part of the World Environment Day in Kote Maramma Temple premises adjoining the Mysore Palace on Mysuru-Nilgiri Road here  on Friday.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar was to participate in the programme that was to begin at 7 am.

However, due to unavoidable reasons, she was unable to attend and the programme turned a damp squib. This led to the Pourakarmikas themselves inaugurating it at 8 am by cleaning the premises. Later, the students of Sri Nataraja School of Nursing joined the Pourakarmikas in the cleanliness drive.

MCC Senior Health Officers Dr. Ramachandra and Dr. Nagaraj participated in the programme but refused to touch the brooms.

Disrespect shown to Pramoda Devi Wadiyar: MCC had announced that Mysuru City Swachhata Brand Ambassador Pramoda Devi Wadiyar is going to inaugurate the cleanliness programme at 7 am on Friday at Kote Maramma Temple premises. It is said that without her permission her name was used and for this reason she refused to attend the programme.

However, when Star of Mysore spoke to Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, she said that she came to know of the programme only last evening. Though she thought of participating, she decided not to attend, as she was not feeling well.