Nothing can stop Bengalooru Habba

Nothing can stop Bengalooru Habba


Express News Service
First Published : 03 Dec 2008 04:12:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Dec 2008 09:08:45 AM IST

BANGALORE: It's a typical case of the government’s skewed priorities.

At a time the country is mourning its dead in the horrible attack on Mumbai, the Karnataka government is going ahead with celebrating the sixth edition of Bengalooru Habba.

At a time Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is in constant talks to do all he can to protect Bangalore from a possible Mumbai-type attack, his government has called in noted playback singers S P Balasubramanyam, Shreya Ghoshal and Pakistani rock sensation ‘Strings’ to perform in the city.

At a time Karnataka’s treasury is nearly empty and it finds it difficult to gather funds for uniforms for its employees, the state government has made a generous grant of Rs 2.5 crore for Habba.

December 4 is no special date in Bangalore’s — or Karnataka’s — calendar.

But that is the day the 18-day event will kick off in the city. Touted as the biggest cultural festival, it is organised jointly by the State government and a few corporate entities.

Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao and Jayanagar MLA Vijay Kumar drew a blank when a few journalists asked them why the government was spending Rs 2.5 crore on the Habba when traditional festivities of the city, like Kadalekai Parishe and Bangalore Karaga, were being neglected completely.

Their attention was also drawn to allegations of discrimination against local artistes in Bengalooru Habba.

Rao and Kumar explained that the Habba would give a boost to tourism. They also promised more funds for other historical events of Bangalore in future.