Bengaluru: Selection process for Karnataka Rajyotsava award recipients gains momentum

Bengaluru: The selection process for this year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards has intensified, with Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi instructing the selection advisory committee to prioritize social justice, regional representation, and district-level inclusivity while choosing awardees.

For the 2024 Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards, over 2,800 applications from various fields have been submitted to the government. On Wednesday, a meeting of advisory committee members from five different sectors was held at Vidhana Soudha’s conference hall to discuss the selection process.

Focus on social justice and gender equality

Minister Tangadagi emphasized that social justice and gender equality must be prioritized in the selection of Rajyotsava Award recipients. Additionally, care must be taken to ensure that no district is overlooked. The minister assured that the government would not interfere in the selection process, according to sources.

It was also pointed out that while many achievers have already received various awards, there are unsung heroes in rural areas who have made significant contributions. Efforts should be made to identify such individuals, even if they have not submitted applications for the award, sources added.

Upcoming round of deliberations

In celebration of the 69th Karnataka Rajyotsava, the government plans to honor 69 achievers from different fields this year. With over 2,800 applications received, the list will soon be narrowed down to a 1:3 ratio before being sent to the government for final approval. Sources indicated that another round of advisory committee meetings will be held in the coming days to finalize the selection.

The meeting was attended by Kannada Development Authority Chairman Dr. Purushothama Bilimale, renowned music composer Hamsalekha, actor and musician Sadhu Kokila, Kannada and Culture Department Director Dr. Dharanidevi Malagatti, and other senior officials from the department.