BENGALURU:The state government will give this year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava awards to 60 achievers in various fields.
The award ceremony will be held on November 1. The government, which started giving the awards in 1966, has feted 278 individuals and organisations till date. Since this is the 60th year of the awards, the government decided to honour 60 people. Last year, 59 individuals and organisations were given the awards.
The Department of Kannada and Culture had constituted a 13-member advisory committee to select the 60 awardees. Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree is the committee chairperson. The other members include writers Marula Siddappa and Ka Tha Chikkanna.
The department received 523 applications from across the state so far. The number is expected to increase in the coming days. Interestingly, the award witnesses a lot of lobbying from ministers and MLAs who pitch for their candidates.
The awardees will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and gold souvenir.