Ex-ISRO chief Sivan among 67 Rajyotsava awardees

Bengaluru: Former ISRO Chairman K Sivan, actors Dattanna, Avinash and Sihi Kahi Chandru are among 67 personalities who will be awarded Rajyotsava Award this year, the Karnataka government said on Sunday.

Noting that efforts have been made to maintain regional balance, while identifying the achievers, Kannada and Culture Minister V Sunil Kumar said said, "the interesting thing about Rajyotsava Award this time is, the award has gone in search of real achievers, as some of them didn't even have photographs with them to share with us. It means, they were doing their work silently, without expecting any recognition."

Award-winning personalities include - Soligara Madamma who popularised cooperatives among Soliga community, Saalumarada Ninganna (environmentalist), Yakshagana artiste Dr M Prabhakar Joshi, retired IAS officer Madan Gopal, writers A R Mitra and professor Krishnegowda, differently-abled swimmer Raghavendra Anvekar among others.

On this occasion of Amrita Mahotsav (75 years) of Independence, the government has also decided to honour 10 organisations with 'Amrita Mahotsav State Award-2022'. "Hearty congratulations to all achievers selected for the Kannada Rajyotsava Award and the 10 organisations awarded 'Amrita Mahotsava Rajyaprashasti," the CM said.