Bengaluru, 30 Oct

Former chief minister & writer M Veerappa Moily, activist BT Lalitha Naik, former chief secretary SV Ranganath and hockey player Jude Felix Sebastian are among the 69 people chosen for Karnataka Rajyotsava Award - 2024.

Arun Yogiraj, who sculpted Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya, and Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder and president of Thumbay Group, UAE, also made it to the list. Environmentalist Almitra Patil, who was at the forefront of streamlining solid waste management in Bengaluru was bestowed the award for her contribution to environment conservation.

Three people from outside Karnataka too bagged the award, including Kannaiah Naidu, who led a team in fixing the crest gate of Pampa Sagar dam on Tungabhadra river at Hospet-Koppal confluence.

These awards, carrying a purse of Rs 5 lakh, a 25-gram gold medal and a memento, will be presented on 1 November when the State celebrates its formation day. Apart from these 69 people, 50 men and 50 women would receive ‘Suvarna Mahotsava Prashasti’, an award to commemorate the State being renamed as Karnataka.

Other awardees include blind artist Narasimhulu, Basavaraja Sangappa Harivala and Imamsab M Vallepanavar (folk art category); Hema Chaudhary and MS Narasimha Murthy (film and television); former IAS officer V Ranganath (administration); Basavaraj Badigere (sculptures); Balasaheb Lokapur (literature); and Sitarama Tholpadi and Keshava Hegde Kolagi for Yakshagana among others. —Salar News with Agencies