BANGALORE: Here is an opportunity to select and honour a person who is heralding a change in your locality in Bangalore.
The Namma Bengaluru Foundation on Tuesday unveiled its plan to honour the unsung heroes of Bangalore by recognising their work through their neighbours or through whom they know.
Announcing this, Rajya Sabha MP and ABIDe convener Rajeev Chandrashekhar said that the “namma awards”, were a way of saying “Thank You”, to the “the real stars” who are silently toiling to make Bangalore a better place to live. Not just this, the award is aimed at fostering civic pride, community ownership besides promoting culture and strengthen bonds between citizens and others who are involved to ensure a strong and sustainable future for the city.
Chandrashekhar said that the awards would “bring back the sense of belonging in the city”. The Namma Bengaluru awards would honour common man working in promoting growth and protecting the city’s culture and heritage. “The sectors include those working in government, civic agencies, resident welfare associations, NGOs, corporates and citizens who are working to keep the spirit of Bengaluru alive despite the growth challenges,” Chandrashekhar said.
Concern for flood
He defended the decision to go ahead with the awards despite parts of the state being ravaged by the floods. “We are concerned about what has happened in the state and all of us have even contributed for the cause. There is a need to recognise unsung heroes who are doing good work and keeping the the spirit of Bangalore alive.”
The jury
The nominations would be sifted through by a panel headed by Chandrashekhar.
Other members of the Jury include Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde, MP Rama Jois, theatre personality Arundati Nag, Anil Menon of Cisco systems, Actress Ramya, BCIL director Hariharan, ABIDe member Ashwin Mahesh, Infosys HR Head Mohandas Pai, Dr Devi Shetty, journalist and theatre person Prakash Belwadi, IAS officer K Jairaj, writer GS Siddalingaiah, environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy, General Secretary of Women’s Voice Ruth Manorma, Historian Chidanda Murthy, Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar Shah and Danseuse Subhashini Vasanth.