Land of Lime

Nothing makes me feel back at home in Mysore like a bit of absurdity.

Such as the news item I read this morning in the Andolana, Mysore leading morning newspaper.

The Karnataka State Government in its infinite wisdom decided to honor poet and critic Dr. G. S. Shivarurdappa as Rashtrakavi, the National poet laureate. Indeed a very nice gesture and GSS is deserving of the honor.

It also decided to offer one million rupee prize money but now a committee apparently has decided against making a one time lumpsum payment. Instead, the recommendation is for the Poet Laureate to get five thousand rupees per month for the rest of his life.

So why the change? Apparently, the Government doesn’t trust its Poet Laureate. It is worried that GSS might spend million rupees in one go.

Splendid.