Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 19: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, said that he has requested the chief minister (CM) to grant Dasara holidays to students in Dakshina Kannada district on the days similar to the ones given in Mysuru. He said that the CM has expressed his willingness to positively consider this request.

Speaking to media persons here on Monday September 18, Rai said that he had met the CM on September 13 at Bengaluru and informed him about Dasara holiday in Dakshina Kannada having been given from October 11 to 25 whereas holidays in Mysuru for Dasara are from September 21 to October 5. He said he sought this modification to enable students to take part in Dasara celebrations and Navaratri Utsav in the city. "The chief minister asked the chief secretary to consider the request," he stated, adding that he had already discussed the matter with the concerned minister and officials, and expected an official announcement about changed dates by September 20.

Rai also explained that he has deputed his special officer to Bengaluru on September 18 in an effort to take up the issue with the concerned and to get the concerned to take immediate action. "A letter has also been sent from the office of the deputy commissioner, and the office of the deputy director of public instruction has got information about it. As the CM has been convinced about the need to change dates of holidays, we expect announcement about changed holidays soon," he claimed.

The minister was informed that the children and their parents are finding it hard to celebrate Dasara as the festival has approached this year a few weeks ahead. He was told that as examinations are conducted during Dasara period, the parents face further problems.