Mysuru, 3 Sept 

International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq has been officially invited to inaugurate the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festival this year. The Mysuru District Administration extended the formal invitation on Wednesday at her residence in Hassan.

District Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy, who also serves as the Dasara Special Officer, personally visited Banu Mushtaq and honoured her with a traditional shawl and peta --shawl and turban, before delivering the official invite.

The invitation ceremony was attended by Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Yukesh Kumar, Additional DC Dr P Shivaraju, Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority Secretary MJ Roopa, and members of the Dasara welcome committee.

The grand inauguration is scheduled for 22 September atop the Chamundi Hill, where Banu Mushtaq will formally launch the ten-day festivities.