Puneeth Rajkumar to be conferred Karnataka Ratna posthumously on November 1: CM Bommai
The Hindu
The CM was speaking at the annual Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh's Glass house in Bengaluru, where a special floral tribute is being paid to Puneeth and his father Dr Rajkumar
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who died last year, will be conferred with the 'Karnataka Ratna' award posthumously, on November 1on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava, the state's formation day.
He will be the 10th recipient of the state's highest civilian honour. "We have decided to confer Karnataka Ratna award to Puneeth Rajkumar on November 1, we will be forming a committee consisting of Rajkumar family members to prepare for it, it will be conferred with full honour," Bommai said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the annual Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh's glass house in the city. This year's flower show pays a special floral tribute to Kannada thespian Dr Rajkumar and his son and actor Puneeth Rajkumar.
Considered Kannada cinema's reigning star, Puneeth, the youngest of five children of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, died of a cardiac arrest on October 29 at the age of 46.
The Chief Minister had made an announcement to confer the award on the late actor in November last year, at the ''Puneetha Namana,'' an event to pay homage to Puneeth Rajkumar, organised by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), in association with Sandalwood film actors' and technicians' associations.
The Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009. Interestingly, Puneeth's late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with poet Kuvempu.