Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jan 12: The prestigious U S Mallya lifetime achievement award was conferred on cardiologist, educationist and author Dr B M Hegde in a grand award ceremony held on Saturday, January 12 at Town Hall.
The four other awards will be conferred on Manohar Prasad for Journalism, Ramakrishna Ashram for Social service, Dr Hannibal R Cabral for community education and service and Sara Aboobakkar for literature.
The Ullal Srinivasa Mallya life time achievement award will include Rs 1 lakh cash award, a citation and a memento, while the other four awards will consist of Rs 50,000 cash each, along with mementos.
The award ceremony was inaugurated by District-in-charge minister U T Khader.
Addressing the gathering U T Khader said," I am very happy to be part of this meaningful programme. U S Mallya was the most respected politician and the award named after him was given to most deserving personalities who brought about positive change in the society.”
He also said, "Youth need to look upon these models that were honoured with U S Mallya award. U S Mallya's contribution is enormous be it airport, NMPT, but it’s harsh that planning is going on to privatize it. It’s our duty to save the contribution made by U S Mallya or else like we lost Vijaya Bank, soon we will be losing airport and NMPT too.”
Former chief minister Veerappa Moily said," U S Mallya was model to all the politicians. He was famed for his humility and honesty. A politician should have these qualities then he can definitely succeed or else he will be a short term politician.”
"U S Mallya had a strong vision towards development irrespective of region, caste,” said Veerappa Moily.
After receiving the award Dr B M Hegde said," U S Mallya was an inspired politician and he had strong vision towards development of Dakshina Kannada. It’s been privilege to receive U S Mallya award from the hands of former chief minister Veerappa Moily. I thank the selection committee because award is given to those who deserve the most and they recognized me to be deserving for this award".
President of Ramakrishna Mutt Swami Jithakamananda said," It’s an honour to receive this award on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. U S Mallya was a great politician whose contribution is enormous and this award for social service belongs to Swami Vivekananda.”
Writer Sara Aboobakkar said," I thank MCC for the inception of this award last year. We have language academies which works in unity and I want it to continue in a same way. As a writer I feel that these days the readers of Kannada books are less, even in Mysuru Sahitya Sammelana it was hardly few books that were sold out. This should be eradicated as more number of people should come forward in reading Kannada books and buy them".
Journalist Manohar Prasad said," It’s an honor to get an award in the name of U S Mallya. This award brought me boost to my professional career. I thank MCC for recognizing me for this award.
Chief whip of MCC Shashidhar Heggade welcomed the gathering. Vijay Vishnu Mayya compered the event.
MLC Ivan D Souza, District Congress president Harish Kumar, mayor Bhaskar Moily, deputy mayor Mohammed, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazir, corporator Praveen Chandra Alva, D K Ashok and others were present.