Navraspur Utsav, the lone cultural event that was being organised by the government in the district, may not be held this year too with neither the district administration nor elected representatives showing any keenness in holding it.
The last time the event was held was in February 2015 during the previous Congress government when adequate funds were released for the grand utsav.
After that, the event was never held owing to various reasons, which include drought and Assembly elections.
This year also, the chances of organising the event are fading away with no planning made for it till date, though only three months are left for the year to come to an end.
According to officials, no meeting has been held by the district administration and elected representatives on the preparations for the event.
The officials said that the government itself is not keen on holding the event this year citing prevalence of drought in the district.
“We are also not approaching the government as we strongly believe that the government may not agree to hold the event considering the drought in the district,” one of the officials said.
However, many people in the district are unhappy with this situation. They say that drought should not be used as an excuse for not holding the cultural event.
“Vijayapura is known for drought. Almost every alternate year we see drought. Thus, drought should not become an excuse for not holding the event. No doubt drought is a sensitive issue and the government should take steps to help farmers. But it should not become the sole reason for not holding Navraspur Utsav in the district which has seen numerous droughts,” Suresh Bijapur, a social activist, said.
He also wondered why other similar utsavs in the State such as the Chalukya Utsav in Bagalkot, Hampi Utsav in Ballari, Dasara in Mysuru and Kittur Utsav in Belagavi are held every year even if the entire North Karnataka faces drought.
“The same government celebrates birth anniversaries of various saints and deities of different communities every year through the Kannada and Cultural Department. Why cannot it organise one cultural event for the people of all communities here,” he said.
Reminding the government of the resolution passed by the previous government in 2015 that Navraspur Utsav will be held every year without fail, Mr. Bijapur demanded that the government keep its promise and hold the event this year.
