K'taka to invite Olympic medallists for Dasara

Bangalore, Aug 28 (UNI) Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje today said the state goverment had decided to invite Olympic medalLists, who had won medals at the Beijing Olympics, as state guests for Dasara festival.

Karandlaje told reporters here that gold medallist Abhinav Bhindra would be invited to inaugurate the sports events organised as part the Dasara festival.

The state government had already announced a reward of Rs ten lakh to Bindra. Bronze medallists Sushil Kumar and Vijendra Kumar would also be rewarded with Rs five lakh each, she said.

The elephant Balaram, which will carry the 'houdha' during the Dasara procession, would be provided with tight security with moving steel barricades to keep the crowds away, she added.

UNI SIV PY KP2143