That is the primary Anniversary Version of Star of Mysore for the reason that passing of its Founding Editor, Ok.B. Ganapathy (KBG), on July 13, 2025.
As we step into the New Yr (2026), we revisit one of KBG’s most cherished columns, ‘Abracadabra,’ initially revealed on Jan. 1, 1979. He wrote it beneath his pen title, ‘Puck,’ the mischievous and perceptive fairy from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Evening’s Dream,’ a signature fashion he carried into his column.
The piece reproduced under appeared within the first New Yr version after the beginning of Star of Mysore on Feb. 16, 1978 and stands as a reminder of the voice, imaginative and prescient and vitality that formed this small night newspaper, the voice of Mysuru, from its very starting. —Ed
Abracadabra… Abracadabra…
I want you, my expensive readers, all one of the best, nothing however one of the best and solely one of the best in… this factor, that factor and in all the things that you really want, that you just want and that you just want from your loved ones, buddies and enemies.
Please maintain your glasses of whisky, pisky or simply plain Cauvery water and provide a toast to this newcomer — 1979.
Up to now 12 months of 1978, a lot spirit had flowed by our stomach, destroying within the course of, typically, the spirit of love and kindness. Could this not occur in 1979!
I invoke the spirits of our forebears, who celebrated life with smiles and good cheer and entered the Kingdom of Heaven to bless us from their blessed everlasting abode on this present day in order that the New Yr shall circulation with quite a bit of spirit, irrespective of whether or not Mr. Morarji Desai stays as our Prime Minister or not.
Up to now 12 months, I’ve made extra enemies than buddies. However they’re worthy ones. Acid may need flowed by my pen, however I by no means dipped my quill within the black ink of malice. However most of the time, my pen oozed with goodwill and love.
Machiavelli, in his ‘The Prince,’ famous: “A person who needs to make the career of goodness in all the things should essentially come to grief amongst so many who are usually not good.” The identical is my predicament.
Up to now 12 months (1978), aside from many minor irritations and some main nuisances brought on by this column to some people, organisations and teams of individuals, there have been two cases which had disturbing, although wholesome, after-results which I shall presently relate.
The primary was the ‘Man-Eaters of Coorg’ write-up. It had roused the ire of many Coorgs and kicked up quite a bit of mud.
Just a few of them wrote to us singing the reward of the courageous sons of the ‘Switzerland of India’ and a few agreed with me.
A pair of these letters had been revealed. Others had been for my private consumption.
A Kannada every day, Kodagu Dainika, actually translated my ‘dressing-down’ for the profit of these Coorgs who had been misguided.
Later, one ‘Ok’, C/o Kodagu Dainika, wrote a tirade towards me, difficult me to disclose my id and providing to enlighten me on the problem.
I like to hold on with my good work incognito! However the silliest factor to occur was the cancellation of subscription to Star of Mysore by some Coorgs.
The second occasion was once I wrote concerning the native Police Coaching Institute.
A dozen calls from the Division’s Officers and males got here, some demanding proof (despite the fact that I wrote that no proof was doable in any respect!), others threatening court docket motion with a veiled menace of arrest.
My household and buddies had been anxious and even seemed sad. Thank God, 1978 had been sort to me, not like Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who, refusing to bend earlier than the nation’s ‘highest court docket’, the Parliament, lastly needed to bend earlier than the enormous jail gate to enter the lure-door!
Now, expensive readers, with all humility, I search your greatest needs and blessings for the 12 months 1979. —PUCK
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