Chikkamagaluru: Congress National President Rahul Gandhi is likely to inaugurate the first Indira canteen in the district which had given political rebirth to his grandmother Indira Gandhi post emergency period in 1978.
After launching the largely successful Indira canteens in other parts of the state, preparations are in full swing for the launch of first Indira canteen in the city. The canteen is coming up in the Jail premises on Indira Gandhi Road, close to the government bus stand.
In 1978, Gandhi chose the constituency which not only put the picturesque Chikkamagalur on the global map but also gave her political rebirth. Though Indira Gandhi’s ties with the people of Chikkamagluru as their representative in the Lok Sabha lasted only two years, even after 35 years, their memories of her electioneering and her free mingling with them are still afresh. Congress workers are enthused by the development, considering their close association with the Gandhi family. People in the district were keen on the establishment of state’s first canteen in the district but their demand did not materialise due to several other factors.
Rahul is likely to inaugurate the canteen on his return from Shringeri mutt on March 21.
The canteen coming up in the midst of several educational institutions is likely to benefit aclarge section of student community too.
The state government has allotted 8 canteens to the district and the other canteen in the city is likely to come up on Azad Road later.
The Siddaramiah-led Congress government decided to expand the scheme to cover the rest of the state, after the canteens became a hit among people from all sections of the society in Bengaluru.
