operations. But the power situation has yet to improve. MGP’s relentless fight, from its very inception, to expose corruption in different government offices has not yielded noticeable results. MGP had launched a major campaign to save the old charm of Mysore and preserve the heritage structures. Unfortunately it has failed miserably here also. In 2016 MGP has spearheaded the movement to stop vandalism of Mysore’s iconic symbol, Chamundi Hill by constructing multi-level parking, and shops. Because of lack of involvement of large number of people, politicians are hell bent on vandalizing the hill. Similarly Library authority is hell bent on destroying the last large lung space, People’s Park by constructing a library. MGP has organized several public protests. Unfortunately Mysoreans are acting like people in Tennali Raman’s story that others will pour milk and they can put water. It would be escapism to blame the citizens for various failures or inadequate impact of MGP’s efforts. An NGO should be humble enough to realise that it has failed to attract Mysoreans to become its members in adequately large numbers. And thus MGP has in effect failed in creating a very powerful public platform which could have prevented / solved civic problems and saved Mysore’s Heritage. Mysore has thousands of retired professionals who can easily spare few hours a week to get involved. Cost of democracy is eternal vigilance. Otherwise our elected representatives will take us for a joy ride. Just to give one example of such a joy ride is the way they attempted to take control of Vani Vilas Water Works despite knowing their inability to operate it. Mysoreans knew very well the real reason for their taking over. It is to facilitate the return the tanker mafia and valvemen raj. As MGP completes 26 years, MGP has been asking the million dollar question – how to attract greater people’s involvement to strengthen it to play a critical role in “saving Mysore”. Only if more zealous younger Mysoreans, retired honest professionals and specially professionally qualified women take interest to join MGP. Karnataka Assembly Election: Do VOTE And VOTE INTELLIGENTLY, A Sacred Duty. (April, 2018) Bhamy V. Shenoy