Telangana: Governor's Excellence Awards-2024 Winners Announced

Hyderabad: Environmental conservationist Dusharla Sathyanarayana, Paris Paralympics bronze medal winner Deepthi Jeevanji and Arikapudi Radhu, who works for women and child welfare, were on Monday announced as winners of the inaugural Governor’s Awards for Excellence.

The awards, initiated by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, recognises important achievements in the areas in environment protection, divyangjan welfare, sports and games, and culture. L.V. Prasad Eye Institute was awarded in the organisation category for its work in supporting persons with disabilities.

Aditya Mehta Foundation was celebrated for its organisational contributions to sports, particularly for para-athletes. The culture category saw two individual winners, P.B. Krishna Bharathi and Prof. M. Pandu Ranga Rao, acknowledged for their efforts in preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. Samskruti Foundation was recognised for its cultural initiatives.

The winners were selected from 594 nominations, the youngest of whom was 16 years old, and the oldest 89. Of the entries, 331 came from the urban areas, including the GHMC limits. The applicants comprised a transgender person. 356 men and 96 women.

Each winner will receive a cash prize of `2 lakh and a citation, which will be presented by the Governor at a ceremony on January 26.

The jury, chaired by former Union home secretary K. Padmanabhaiah, included environmentalist Anil Kumar, Divyangjan welfare advocate Dr P. Hanumantha Rao and Kuchipudi dance expert Dr Padmaja Reddy.