Latest news with #MysoreSandal
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
10k foresters in Karnataka to receive KSDL kits
Mysuru: In recognition of their role in forest protection, 10,000 forest guards/watchers, mahouts, and drivers in Karnataka will receive quality kits containing a bag, jerkin, shoes, and a water bottle from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). The first event of this CSR initiative will be held at the convocation hall of Karnataka State Open University in Mysuru on Wednesday, stated large and medium industries minister MB Patil in a release. The minister said that KSDL's CSR fund of Rs 2 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year was utilised to purchase these kits. The essential ingredient for KSDL's flagship product, Mysore Sandal soap, is sandalwood oil. Forest guards are the protectors of this resource, and this initiative reflects our concern for them, he said. The kits will be distributed to 2,168 personnel from the forest divisions of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts. Forest minister Eshwar Khandre and KSDL chairman CS Nadagouda, along with local representatives, will be present during the event. Patil mentioned that kits will also be distributed to staff working in other forest areas in Karnataka in the coming days. Measurements were taken in advance from each recipient to purchase the jerkins and shoes. Among them, 5,000 are permanent staff, while the rest work on a temporary basis. Ensuring their welfare is our responsibility, he said.
India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Will do whatever it takes to protect state's assets": Karnataka Dy CM on HAL relocation proposal
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 27 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the state government would protect its assets at all costs, amid reports of a proposal to relocate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) advanced production facilities to Andhra Pradesh. He was reacting to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's proposal to relocate HAL's advanced production facilities to his state. Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office, he said, 'HAL was not given by any BJP government. It was set up in Bengaluru by Nehru due to the availability of technical manpower. I am not going to interfere in Chandrababu Naidu's political request to the Centre. We have also given sufficient land to HAL and provided land to set up a helicopter unit in Tumakuru. They are free to set up anything new in Andhra Pradesh; we are not going to object to it. But our government will do whatever it takes to protect our state's assets.' He also questioned the silence of Karnataka MPs on the matter. 'What are our MPs representing Karnataka doing? The Union Ministers have not spoken a word about moving HAL to Andhra Pradesh. I would expect them to speak up for the state,' he said. On the appointment of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as a model for Mysore Sandal soap, Shivakumar said, 'I will speak to CM and Industries Minister regarding this. A similar discussion took place with regards to bulbs in the past and we had appointed Puneet and Ramya for it. We are also discussing making Anil Kumble as an ambassador for Forest department.' Further talking about the expulsion of S T Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar, he said, 'It is an internal matter of the BJP. Neither Somashekar nor Hebbar have molested anyone in Vidhana Soudha. They haven't even conspired to inject AIDS virus to Opposition leaders. The BJP hasn't taken any action on those who tried to trap Yediyurappa. I thought their party would take action against those who have committed heinous crimes such as rape. Is this the BJP culture? Let them keep their gems to themselves.' Responding over BJP MLC C Ravikumar calling Kalaburagi DC as 'Pakistani', he said, 'The government has taken this seriously. We don't have a choice but to take action. The person he is accusing is a civil servant and is serving the nation. Our government stands by the DC. Is this the way the BJP treats a female IAS officer? BJP leaders R Ashok and BY Vijayendra must give their reaction on this incident.' When asked about the growing demand for action against Ravikumar, he said, 'Many IAS officers have met me regarding this. We will evaluate this from a legal perspective.' Speaking at an event to induct former MLA of Bangarapete M Narayanaswamy intothe Congress party, he said, 'Leaders from other parties are coming forward to join the Congress party two years after the elections. Former BJP district president is also joining Congress. Over 50 leaders are quitting the BJP and are joining the Congress party. This is a new chapter for Congress in the state.' 'Many BJP and JDS leaders are coming forward to join the party as they think that the Congress government under the leadership of Siddaramaiah is doing a great job of governing the state. We have instructed all the MLAs and district presidents to induct leaders who would like to join our party. I would like to invite all the new leaders to our party. We will take the old and new leaders together,' he added. (ANI)
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mahesh criticizes govt for appointing non local as brand ambassador
Mysuru: Former minister SR Mahesh and JD(S) working president, on Tuesday, asked the state govt to replace actor as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal soap. He urged the govt to reconsider its decision of making the actor the brand ambassador. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mahesh recalled that when he was the tourism minister, he enlisted the support of Mysuru royal family member Yaduveer Wadiyar and appointed him as the tourism ambassador. The govt should emulate this and search for a Kannadiga for our products instead of hiring someone from outside. Mahesh, who earlier represented the KR Nagar constituency, also criticised chief minister Siddaramaiah for his remarks about the constituency, saying those who were in power for 15 years caused problems and his govt would fix them. Mahesh hit back, pointing out that many projects inaugurated by Siddaramaiah were initiated when he was the KR Nagar MLA, and questioned the need to use a helicopter to inaugurate a project worth only Rs 20 crores. Mahesh claimed that so far, no tender was issued for the Rs 237-crore project. He also criticised the Congress for accusing HD Deve Gowda and Yediyurappa for nepotism in politics and questioned about Indira Gandhi and Nehru's family-oriented politics.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yaduveer declines to be brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal
MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has declined to be the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal even as an online campaign was launched demanding that he be made the face of the century-old product. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr. Yaduveer said as an MP he would do everything to promote Karnataka but it will not be appropriate for him to take up commercial promotion of products. His remarks have come in the backdrop of growing opposition to the appointment of actor Tamannaah Bhatia as the new face of the iconic brand. Mr. Yaduveer said he had opposed the choice of Ms. Bhatia as the brand ambassador on the grounds that Mysore Sandal is a Karnataka product and pride of Kannadigas. Hence, the brand ambassador should also be from Karnataka, he added. Referring to the government's justification that it wanted to promote the product across India, Mr. Yadueer said there were any number of stars from the film industry, sports, etc, who were known and recognised all over India and they could be selected. 'Besides, it need not only be a woman,' he added. The recent appointment of Tamannaah Bhatia, who hails from outside Karnataka, sparked online campaigns demanding that Mr. Yaduveer himself be made the brand ambassador. However, he clarified that while he supports promoting Karnataka's culture and identity, he is not interested in doing so for commercial purposes. Countering the argument that a non-Kannadiga was chosen to promote the product in North India, Mr. Yaduveer said there are people of Karnataka from the film industry, sports, and other fields who are known across India. In response to a question, Mr. Yaduveer said even actor Ramaya who belongs to the Congress has opposed the move and hence the State government should reconsider its decision.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar slams decision to appoint Tamannaah as Mysore Sandal soap brand ambassador
Karnataka's Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has strongly opposed the Karnataka government's decision to appoint actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador of Mysore Sandal Soap, calling it a blow to Kannada pride and heritage. His statement adds weight to the growing outrage over the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited's (KSDL) move to sign on a non-Kannadiga celebrity to represent the iconic brand. Also Read - 'Disrespect to our identity': Kannada groups oppose Tamannaah's endorsement of Mysore Sandal Describing KSDL as a "legacy institution," Yaduveer reminded the government and the public that the brand was founded in 1916 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the then Maharaja of Mysore. 'Mysore Sandal Soap is not merely a commercial product. It is woven into Karnataka's cultural identity and household legacy. Generations of Kannadigas have supported and used it with pride,' he said in a post on X. Yaduveer took issue with the appointment of Tamannaah, who has no cultural or linguistic connection to the state, and questioned the rationale behind paying over ₹6 crore for the endorsement. 'This is not only irresponsible but also deeply insensitive,' he said. He argued that if a brand ambassador was deemed necessary, Kannada actors who truly represent the spirit of the state should have been chosen instead. Also Read - Survey suggests BJP could win majority in Karnataka today; Siddaramaiah still top CM choice: Report Taking a political swipe at the Congress-led state government, he added: 'After failing to fulfil its guarantee schemes and holding back thousands of crores from the people, the government must not waste ₹6.2 crore of public money on this endorsement. I strongly urge the cancellation of this appointment.' The backlash has also brought into focus broader concerns about cultural representation. Critics argue that bringing in a non-Kannada-speaking celebrity undermines the brand's identity and disrespects local sentiments, especially when the brand is viewed as a cultural symbol of Karnataka. In response, Karnataka's Minister for Commerce and Industries M.B. Patil defended the move, stating that the decision was made after 'due deliberation' with a clear goal of taking the Mysore Sandal brand beyond state borders. 'This is a strategic step to expand KSDL's footprint nationally and internationally,' he said on Thursday. Patil also noted that efforts were made to approach Kannada actors, but due to scheduling issues, the final choice fell on Tamannaah Bhatia.
