Bengaluru, Nov 1: Karnataka's highest civilian award the 'Karnataka Ratna' was conferred posthumously on late actor Puneeth Rajkumar on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava.
He is the 10th recipient of this prestigious honour.
The event on the foresteps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, was shortened and held in a hurried manner, due to sudden rains.
Cine actors Rajinikanth and Junior NTR, and Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy were guests at the event in which Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conferred Karnataka Ratna on Puneeth Rajkumar.
The Karnataka Ratna award consisting a full silver plaque and a 50 gram gold medal, was received by the late actor's wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, in the presence of his actor brother Shivarajkumar and other family members.
Several noted personalities from the film and literary world, Ministers, political leaders, legislators, among others are likely to be present at the event.
Ahead of the performances there was performance by several noted singers including Vijay Prakash.
With a large number of people descending at the venue, the Ambedkar Road in front of the Vidhana Soudha was jam-packed despite rains, and was closed for traffic. Commuters were advised to use alternate routes by the traffic police.
Considered the Kannada cinema's reigning star, Puneeth, youngest of five children of thespian and matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, had died of a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021, at the age of 46.
Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr. Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009.
Interestingly, Puneeth's late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with noted poet Kuvempu.
Other recipients of the award are S Nijalingappa (Politics), CNR Rao (Science), Devi Prasad Shetty (Medicine), Bhimsen Joshi (Music), Shivakumara Swamiji (Social Service), and Dr D Javaregowda (Education & Literature).
Puneeth, popularly known as 'Appu' and 'power star', by his fans, made his debut on screen when he was just six-months old and went on to win a national award as a child artiste for the film 'Bettada Hoovu'. He then re-emerged as a lead actor in 2002 and went on to star in 29 films, delivering some big hits.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kushinagar (UP), May 12 (PTI): Inspired by Operation Sindoor, India's military action against Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack last month, 17 newborn girls here have been named Sindoor by their families.
"As many as 17 newborn girls born on May 10 and 11 in Kushinagar Medical College have been named Sindoor by their family members," Principal Dr RK Shahi told PTI on Monday.
Twenty-six people, a majority of them tourists, were killed and several injured when terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow in the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on April 22.
In retaliation, Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir. All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under the moniker Operation Sindoor.
Hailing Indian armed forces for "giving a befitting reply to Pakistan", Kushinagar resident Archana Shahi said she named her newly born baby girl after the military operation.
"Following the Pahalgam attack, the lives of a number of married women were ruined when they lost their husbands. Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Indian Army in response to that. We are proud of this. Sindoor is not a word but an emotion now. So, we have decided to name our daughter Sindoor," Archana said.
Her husband Ajit Shahi echoed the sentiments. "Archana and I had thought of the name even before our daughter was born. This word is an inspiration for us," he said.
Madan Gupta from Padrauna said ever since India avenged the killing of the 26 innocent people, his daughter-in-law Kajal Gupta wanted to name her newborn Sindoor.
"That way, we will remember this operation and celebrate this day," Gupta told PTI.
Vyasmuni from Bhathahi Babu village has taken a similar decision, saying it would instil courage in his daughter.
"When my daughter grows up, she will understand the true meaning of this word and present herself as a dutiful woman for Mother India," he said.
Priyanka Devi from Padrauna has also joined others and decided to name her daughter after India's military action, the Kushinagar Medical College principal said.
On the trend of parents naming their daughters Sindoor, Pradeep Khatri, who teaches psychology at Lucknow's National PG College, told PTI, "The parents intend to instil patriotism in their children. When these girls grow up, the parents may tell them why they were named so. It will develop patriotic feelings inside these girl children."