Vartha Bharati Kodagu District Special Correspondent K.M. Ismail Kandakare has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious PaGo award by the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists Association this year. The award-winning report, titled 'Give way or give way to death,' was published in the 'Vartabharati' newspaper on April 6, 2023.

The selection committee, comprising Senior Journalist Keshav Kunder and Journalism Lecturer Guruprasad T.N., chose Kandakare's report for its quality and impact. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 10,001 along with a souvenir.

Kandakare, who holds a certificate course in Diploma in Journalism from Karnataka Open University, has previously been recognized for his journalistic contributions. He has received the Best Sports Reporting Award from both the Kodagu District Working Journalist Association and the Kushalanagar Taluk Working Journalist Association. Additionally, Kandakare's debut work, 'Mariam,' was published in 2021.

Apart from his journalistic endeavors, Kandakare is also involved in football, serving as both a player and coach. He currently works as a referee for the Karnataka State Football Association.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 9 at 11 AM at the Mangalore Press Club. Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. P L Dharma will present the award, while senior journalist Chidambara Baikampadi will deliver a speech as the guest speaker. The event will be presided over by Srinivas Naik Indaje, the president of DK District Working Journalists' Association, with Jitendra Kundeshwar, the general secretary of the association, coordinating the proceedings.

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New Delhi (PTI): Former vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former deputy prime minister LK Advani and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi have cast their votes using the home voting facility, the Delhi poll body said. 

The office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi on Thursday kicked off the home voting facility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities (PwDs) and it will go on till May 24.

According to the data shared by the office, 1409 voters cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes across all seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi on Friday, which was the second day of the facility being started.

The West Delhi constituency reported the highest number of home votes, with 348 voters participating. Among them, 299 were elderly individuals. 

With the completion of the second day, a total of 2,956 voters have exercised their right to vote from home, the CEO office said. 

"Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi successfully cast their votes on May 17 from their home availing home voting facility in the New Delhi parliamentary constituency," the office said.

Former vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari cast his vote on Thursday, it added.

Former deputy prime minister LK Advani cast his vote on Saturday, sources said.  

On the first day, 1,482 voters exercised their franchise from home.

A total of 5,406 voters across Delhi -- elderly individuals and PwDs -- have filled out Form 12D to avail of the home voting facility in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

This initiative ensures these voters can participate in the electoral process with ease and dignity, eliminating the need to visit polling stations. Delhi will go to polls on May 25.