Pingara Rajyotsava Award-2012 conferred on Jaya C Suvarna

Mangalore, November 20: Mangalore Bishop St Aloysius Paul on Tuesday conferred 8th annual Pingara Rajyotsava Award-2012 on philanthropist and All India Billawas Federation Jaya C Suvarna at a grand programme at Town Hall in city.

Instituted by 'Pingara' Kannada weekly newspaper the award consists of a citation and a scroll of honour.

Responding to the award Mr Suvarna said urged the people to lead a selfless life and give priority to “service”, without expecting any reward.

He called upon the youths to think high and strive hard to reach the goals.

Speaking on the occasion Bishop said that Mr Suvarna is a role model for the youths, who want to reach greater heights.

He said that 'Pingara' has selected a deserved person for the prestigious award.

Chief pontiff of Kateel Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple K Laxminarayana Asranna presided over the programme.

Mulky-Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain, BJP leader Shrikar Prabhu, president of RACHANA, Roy Castelino, Dharmadarshi Harikrishna Punaroor, Mangalore Diocese PRO Fr William Menezes, Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara temple trustee Dr B J Suvarna, Mangalore Press Club president Ramakrishna were present on the occasion among others.

Earlier 'Pingara' editor Raymond D'Cunha, said that the jury narrowed down on Mr Suvarna's name from among 17 applications received by the weekly.

He said that Mr Suvarna's selfless service to the society guided the jury's decision in selecting him for the award.

"The jury comprising prominent people from different walks of life carefully studied the contributions of Mr Suvarna before finalising his name," Mr D'Cunha said.

"While few achievers forwarded their bio-data to the newspaper office for selection, well-wishers of others sent in their names for the award," he said.

The only criterion apart from their achievements, he said, for selection to the award is requirement that the applicant should be born in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, or Kasargod districts.

Past recipients of the award include Kuntadi Dayanand Pai (2005), M Mohan Alva (2006), Walter Nandalike (2007), Grace Pinto (2008), D Veerendra Heggade (2009), Louis J Pinto (2010) and Harikrishna Punarooru (2011).