KIRMANI TO START CRICKET ACADEMY;

Padmashree awardee and fomer cricket star Mr.Syed Kirmani disclosed that he would open a cricket academy to groom rural lads.

In an exclusive interview here during a private visit, Mr.Kirmani regretted that the quality and consistency is diminishing in Indian cricket. Recalling that there were no coaches, no academies, no scientific studies during their period, Kirmani said that they were yet delivering the best.

Todays cricketing is more of commercial interest than of quality he opined. Asked, is not cricket sidelining rest of the games like hockey, he said that media hype to cricket is the culprit. Even a one dayer will become a hero today because of the media projection, he said.

BULBUL FESTIVAL CONCLUDES;

The four day Cubs and Bulbul festival came to a colourful close yesterday.

Addressing the gathering, former minister Mr.M.C.Nanaiah lambasted the politicians and other organisations spreading casteism and urged to keep such elements away from the society. He noted that the Hindustan Scouts and Guides organisation is one such venture and adviced children to keep away from casteism and politics.

State Scouts commissioner Mr.Kondajji Basappa regretted that the organisation is suffering due to lack of funds from the government. He said that it is one of the biggest organisations in the world with 2.80 crore members. India has 36 lakh members, while Karnataka has 2.5 lakh members.

Shantamallikarjuna Swamiji blessed the children. A souvenir ‘Kusumanjali” was released on the occasion. Commissioner Mrs. Meenakshi, DC Mr.Valgadh, Mr.K.A.Somanna and others were present.

COFFEE DELEGATION MEETS SONIA, KAMALNATH;

A coffee delegation led by minister of Information and Publicity, Mr.Shivram met central commerce minister Mr.Kamalnath and Congress president Mrs.Sonia Gandhi yesterday.

The delegation including coffee growers from Hassan and Chikmagalore submitted memorandum and urged for relief. The demands included waiving off of interest on loan, extending non payment of commercial tax upto fifty acres of coffee land etc.