Three from Karnataka get Padma Shri awards; All you need to know about their contributions
New Delhi: The Central Government on Saturday announced the prestigious Padma Shri awards on the occasion of Republic Day, recognizing excellence across various fields.
Among the awardees, three distinguished individuals from Karnataka—Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar from Bagalkot, Vijayalakshmi Deshmane from Kalaburagi, and Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara from Koppal—have been conferred with the honour for their contributions in folk art, medicine, and puppetry, respectively.
Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar: Keeping Gondhali folk art alive
An 81-year-old maestro of Gondhali folk music and storytelling from the Ghumantu Samaj, Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar has dedicated over six decades to preserving this dying art form. Popularly known as the ‘Bhisma of Gondhali music and storytelling,’ he has sung more than 1,000 Gondhali songs and narrated over 150 stories, passing on the traditional values of devotion, truth, respect for elders, and the significance of a Guru to younger generations.
Despite coming from a humble background, Sugatekar has remained steadfast in his commitment to the art form, ensuring it reaches both rural and urban audiences. He has trained over 1,000 students free of cost, playing a crucial role in the survival and promotion of Gondhali folk traditions.
Vijayalakshmi Deshmane: Pioneer in Cancer treatment
Dr. Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, a veteran oncologist from Kalaburagi, has been recognized for her remarkable contributions to cancer care and research over the past four decades. Rising from humble beginnings in the marginalized Madiga community, she overcame significant challenges to become a leading figure in oncology.
Her father was a textile mill worker, and as a child, she helped her mother sell vegetables while excelling academically. She later went on to lead the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru, driving advancements in cancer research, treatment, and community awareness.
A pioneer in breast cancer research, Dr. Deshmane has conducted impactful studies and dedicated her life to providing free treatment and counseling to economically disadvantaged cancer patients. Her work has brought hope to countless individuals battling the disease.
Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara: Grandmother of Gombeyaata Puppetry
At 96, Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara from Koppal is one of the first female puppeteers to master the traditional leather shadow puppetry art of Togalu Gombeyaata. She learned the craft at the age of 14 and has since spent over seven decades showcasing epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata through puppetry performances.
Her talent has taken her to over 12 countries, including Japan, Germany, the USA, Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia, where she has introduced global audiences to Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. She has also played a significant role in modernizing the ancient puppetry techniques while training new generations of artists, ensuring the survival of this traditional art form.
In recognition of her dedication, she was awarded Iran’s Puppetry Award in 1993. Her lifelong commitment to Togalu Gombeyaata has earned her the title of ‘Grandmother of Gombeyaata.’
The Padma Shri awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
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HC to decide if gram panchayat members can continue in Manipur post tenure: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday said the high court would decide whether the elected gram panchayat members, whose five-year tenure was over in Manipur, were entitled to continue in their posts in the event of the appointment of an administrative committee or an administrator.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said it would like to have the benefit of the view of the high court in the matter and set a three-month time frame to adjudicate the legal question.
"The question that falls for consideration in this case is that whether the elected member of the Gram Panchayat whose five-year tenure is over was entitled to continue as members of the gram panchayat in the event of appointment of administrative committee or administrator, as contemplated under Section 22 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act of 1994," the bench noted.
The Manipur government’s counsel said the state could not hold panchayat elections due to the unprecedented violence.
"Since, we would like to have the advantage of the opinion of the high court, we dispose of the special leave petition without expressing any opinion on merits, with the request to the chief justice of Manipur High Court to post the main case before a division bench at the earliest. We further request the division bench, before whom the matter is listed, to provide expeditious hearing with an endeavour to resolve the controversy within three months," the bench said.
The bench noted that provision of Manipur Panchayati Raj Act was amended to substitute the word "cease" with the word "continue" with respect to the tenure of the elected members of the gram panchayat.
The petitioners have challenged a high court order and submitted that since elections in gram panchayat could not be held in Manipur for various reasons, the previously elected members of the panchayat were entitled to continue as per the amended Section 22 (3) of 1994 Act.
Section 22 deals with the power of deputy commissioner to appoint an administrative committee or an administrator for a period of six months, which will then oversee the election.
Section 22 (3) of the law says once the administrative committee or an administrator is appointed by the deputy commissioner, the elected members of earlier gram panchayat shall cease to exist.
The top court said what has been challenged before it was an interlocutory order of the high court and the main petition in which the question of law that had been raised was still pending.
The original petitioners before the high court were elected representatives at the fifth general elections for gram panchayats and the zilla parishads who sought a direction to continue in the office beyond the period of five years as stipulated by law as elections were last held in 2017.
They sought to continue as panchayat members till the time the state election commission notified the election for the sixth general elections for gram panchayats and zilla parishads.
On February 29, last year, the high court in its interim order gave liberty to Manipur government to appoint an administrative committee for each gram panchayat and zilla parishad in accordance with law and the provision of the Act.
