The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : 10 felicitated for achievements

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 16, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

10 felicitated for achievements

Staff Reporter

Raj Bhavan continues a hallowed tradition in recognising bravery, social service, etc.

ACHIEVERS WITH DIGNITARIES: Governor T.N. Chaturvedi and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy at a felicitation function at Raj Bhavan in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Continuing a Raj Bhavan tradition set by former Governor V. Ramadevi, Governor T.N. Chaturvedi felicitated 10 persons, including two boys aged five and 12 respectively and a visually impaired teenaged girl, and a 70-year-old institution in recognition of individual achievements, bravery and significant social services here on Tuesday.

The function held at the Raj Bhavan to mark the 60th Independence Day was marked by minimum formalities such as invocation, welcome speech and a vote of thanks.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, acting Chairperson of the Legislative Council Sachhidanand L. Khot and many dignitaries participated in the touching event.

Of those felicitated, the five-year-old M. Mahatej, a Bangalore boy studying in first standard, drew the attention of the audience by his uncanny memory prowess for which he was selected for the gubernatorial honour.

The 12-year-old Roshan of Mangalore studying in 7th standard was felicitated in recognition of the great courage he had exhibited in saving one of his friends who was caught in the river Phalguni.

The 16-year-old K. Yashoda of Gundlupet was honoured in recognition of her unflinching confidence, talents and academic achievement despite her physical deformities.

She lost her eyesight when she was two years old.

Undeterred by the adverse circumstances, she pursued her education with the support of Ranga Rao Memorial School for Blinds (Mysore) and Nagarathnamma High School (Gundlupet).

Despite shortcomings, she won several prizes in sports and music. She succeeded in securing 77.44 per cent in the SSLC examination held in March 2006.

The Raj Bhavan had selected M. Latha, Sheeba, C. Divya, K. N. Ramya and G. Prasanna Kumar (all from Bangalore belonging to economically backward communities) for its annual honour in appreciation of their academic achievements despite poverty.

Of them, Ms. Latha and Ms. Sheeba, who could not participate in the function, won the audience's admiration for their skills.

Ms. Latha, a daughter of a vegetable vendor, secured 87 per cent in the PUC examination held in March 2006 and bagged 3868th rank in the CET. She is now studying in first year MBBS at JSS Medical College, Mysore.

The 20-year-old Sheeba, a victim of rickets, is a talented painter. Being under the care of Spastics Society, she has specialised in paintings and won many awards, including the "best physically challenged woman" 2006 award.

On the social service front, the Raj Bhavan has recognised Bangalore-based autorickshaw driver T. Raja and environmentalist Ravindranath Aithal of Kallare village in Puttur taluk, Dakshina Kannada.

Mr. Raja, whose daily earning is said be around Rs. 200, has established "Home for Hope", an orphanage and old age home, in his locality.

Dr. Aithal, a snakebite medicine expert, has developed a snake park-cum-nursery of herbal plants at his native place.

The Bangalore-based Seva Sadan Orphanage (Malleswaram) was honoured for its services to the cause of humanity — providing rehabilitation and education and creating employment opportunities for the poor and orphan girls since 1936.

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