BANGALORE: Namma Bengaluru Awards were presented to selected citizens in recognition of their extra-ordinary contributions to the society at a glittering ceremony on Saturday.
This year, the organisers received 14,000 nominations for 7 categories. The award carried a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a memonto.
Lokayukta Special Court Judge N K Sudhindra Rao was adjudged the ‘Bengalurean of the Year’ for his campaign against corruption and the Lokayukta office received the award in ‘Best Government Organisation’ category. Registrar of Lokayukta, Yoginath received the award on behalf of Rao. The other winners included MLA Krishna Byre Gowda; U V Singh, Chief Forest Conservator; Uday Vijayan, Founder Member of Beyond Carlton; Wilma Rodrigues, Member of Saahas Zero Waste Solutions; Dr Meenakshi Bharath and Ramakanth; Kala Devarajan, Trustee of Karunashraya; and Lakshamma, a civic worker at BBMP.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said, “My friends have died fighting corruption and I donate this award and cash reward to the Forest Department which will give it to their children.”
MLA Krishna Byre Gowda said, “I admire the courage of the organisers for presenting this to a politician like me. I am more happy for those people whose contributions have been recognised. I will give this money to the free eye camp being run by my wife.”
Uday Vijayan said, “We were born out of a tragedy, nine people jumped to death for the mistake of a builder. They may not come alive, but we would ensure that each family gets justice ensure that such things do not happen again.”
MP Rajiv Chandrashekhar, actor Ramesh Arvind, Mind Tree Founder Ashok Soota, Social Activist Anitha Reddy and poet Siddalingappa among those present on the occasion.