Bengaluru: Unlike the previous governments where the number of Rajyotsava award winners used to swell to 150, we have restricted it to 61, to mark the 61st Kannada Rajyostava Day, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
After presenting the Rajyotsava awards at Ravindra Kalakshetra on Tuesday, Mr Siddaramaiah said “A selection committee was formed to do the job of selecting the achievers. I did not influence them in any way. My only advice was to select those who can be an inspiration to the society.”
There will be no compromise in the protection of Kannada language, land and resources of the state, he affirmed and added that the celebration of Kannada Rajyostava should not be restricted to November 1st.
Former Supreme court judge Shivaraj Patil, film actress Lakshmi, hockey-player S V Sunil, 106-year-old-freedom fighter Mahadevappa Shivabasappa Pattan were among the prominent ones who received the award. They were handed over a purse of Rs 1 lakh, a gold medal weighing 20 grams and a citation.
While the chief minister was leaving the venue, he was blocked by a folklore artiste Ms Rukmini, who cried before him saying her name was not considered for the award. “I did not have any role in the selection of awardees,” he replied to her kindly.
