MYSURU: In what may ring music in the ears of women, especially those who have a liking for sarees, the coming Varamahalakshmi festival to be held from August 24, brings Mysore Silk sarees at an affordable price. Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) has decided to offer sarees at the slashed price of Rs 4,500.
Minister for Tourism and Sericulture Sa Ra Mahesh told media persons here on Friday that it is in keeping with the demand of the people as the eponymous silk saree that has been rated as one of its kind and is available in the range of Rs10, 000 to Rs 2 lakh in the normal days. The production of sarees has been started and will be sold from the festival day at the stalls of the corporation in the state.
More stalls
To create more market for the trademark sarees that are also patented, it has been decided to open additional stalls at Hotel Lalit Mahal Palace, near KRS Dam in Mandya and also at Badami and Aihole in Bagalkot district. Besides planning to open stalls in foreign countries too, he added.
Reacting to a query on constituting a vigilance squad to check spurious sales of sarees in the name of ‘Mysore silk’, the Minister said: “Notice will be served on such shopkeepers, besides taking into account the boards if any, hung up in front of the shops.”
Soft skills
Taking into cognisance the tourism potential of the state, it is equally essential to hone the skills of the people connected with the industry like cab drivers and those in the hospitality industry who cater to a particular group of visitors only. A dedicated session will be conducted to teach them soft skills like — body language while behaving with tourists, the Minister said.