[1]The famous Mysore Dasara will lose one of its major attractions — the Dasara Air Show — with the defence ministry refusing to hold air shows anywhere in India during festivities and private engagements, citing security concerns. The Dasara High-Powered Committee is thinking of placing a formal request before the defence ministry, but it is unlikely to be cleared. Sources in the ministry pointed that if minister A.K. Antony can turn down the request of his home state Kerala on holding an air show during Onam festivities in Thiruvananthapuram this month-end, it is unlikely that he would accept a similar demand from Karnataka.
Mr Selvamurthy, chief controller of Defence Research and Development Organisation, told Deccan Chronicle that the ministry took a policy decision in 2010 that such shows should not be allowed. “Such shows burden the IAF. Besides, there are security concerns too,” he said. Mysore Deputy Commissioner P.S. Vastrad, said, “Definitely, it’s a setback. But it is not in our hands as the defence ministry has already taken a policy decision.” Air show is the second highest crowd-puller after Jumbo Savari during the cultural extravaganza. More than 50,000 people watch Dasara Air Show every year.
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