‘Globalisation has affected profession of Vishwakarma community’

Mysuru: “Members of Vishwakarma community are talented enough to churn out any job assigned to them with total perfection and precision,” appreciated District Minister V. Somanna.

He was speaking after inaugurating the stage programme marking Vishwakarma Jayanti under the aegis of District Administration, Department of Kannada and Culture and Vishwakarma Jayantyotsava Samiti held at Kalamandira here yesterday.

Somanna observed that the skilled traditional family profession of Vishwakarma people was being taken over by others leaving the former in problems. 

He lauded the State Government in establishing the Vishwakarma Development Corporation which would help to strengthen the community which would be carried on for future generation. 

He assured to fulfil the community demands like a good Samudaya Bhavana, financial assistance for establishing cottage industries and more allocation for the Corporation.

No more shawls and garlands

Speaking on the occasion, former Minister and current MLA G.T. Devegowda announced that a decision has been taken not to offer shawls and garlands to guests who come to participate in any Jayanti programme held at Kalamandira including Ministers. 

In that context, he instructed Kannada and Culture Assistant Director H. Chennappa to strictly abide by the instruction. He instead suggested to offer a rose and a book.

Continuing, Devegowda said that Vishwakarma community was skilled in sectors like house construction, manufacture of agricultural tools, sculpting of idols and carpentry. But bemoaned that globalisation and liberalisation had made big companies to step into these sectors affecting the community.

MLA L. Nagendra presided. Scholar Dr. Jyoti Shankar delivered the special lecture. 

Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, ZP President Parimala Shyam, Corporators Ramesh Ramani, Chayadevi and Nagarathna, ZP CEO K. Jyothi, Samiti President Huchhappachar and others were present.

Samiti’s good gesture

The Vishwakarma Jayantyotsava Samiti, in a humanitarian gesture, donated Rs.50,000 out of the grant released by the State Government, to the Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. 

The deficit amount was borne by the Samiti office-bearers and members for celebration of the Vishwakarma Jayanti without giving room for any shortcomings. 

Announcing the good gesture during the stage programme, H. Chennappa lauded the decision of the Samiti.

Punctual District Minister, delayed procession

As assured to the Samiti, District Minister Somanna arrived punctually at 12.30 pm at Kalamandira. But was disappointed as the procession was yet to reach the venue and was learnt to be still somewhere on Devaraj Urs Road. 

The programme organisers predicted that it could take one more hour for the procession to arrive. Somanna left to participate in an interaction programme with journalists at Pathrakartara Bhavan organised by the Mysuru District Journalists Association and returned by 2.30 pm for the programme at Kalamandira. He mentioned that during his speech.

Earlier to that, a colourful procession was taken out in city to mark Vishwakarma Jayanti.

The procession was launched by MLA L. Nagendra by offering puja to Nandi Dwaja at the Kalikamba Kamateshwara Temple on K.T. Street here.

A Vishwakarma patriot was carried in a decorated vehicle followed by an army of folk troupes in colourful costumes performing rhythmic dances, accompanied by musical troupes rendering classical music. Four tableaux were in attendance portraying the highlights of the community.

The procession passed through Irwin Road, Nehru Circle, Ashoka Road, Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, Gandhi Square and Devaraja Urs Road before reaching Kalamandira where the stage programme was held.