Mangaluru: CM to confer Abbakka awards on three achievers

Mangaluru, Apr 21: Three achievers from three different fields will be honoured with prestigious Abbakka awards this year.  BM Rohini, a well-known writer has been chosen for Veera Rani' Abbakka Prashasti, while film actor Harini and sportsperson Lalita Jayaram Ira have been chosen for Rani' Abbakka Puraskara.

Jointly instituted by the Department of Kannada and Culture and Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samithi the award will be presented by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the valedictory ceremony of two day Veerarani Abbakka Utsava 2016 to be held at Thokkottu on May 7 and 8.

The Veerarani Abbakka Prashati and Rani Abbakka Puraskara comprise a purse of Rs 20,000 each and a citation.

A jury, headed by writer Amrutha Someshwara, comprising Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President Janaki M Brahmavar, Konkani Academy President Roy Castelino, Beary Academy President B A Mohammed Hanif and others, has selected the achievers for the award. 

Rohini, apart from being a teacher and serving for 38 years, is known for her writings. She has presented her views at various literary conventions and seminars. Stree Samvedane', Stree Shikshana-Samskruthi', Stree- Bhinnamukhagalu' and others are the collections of her articles. Kartavya' and Garikeya Kudigalu' are the collection of stories. She has also carried out studies on Veeragallu' and Mastigallu' stones and women fighters in the district with other writers. She has received Kannada Sahitya Dattinidhi Prashasti, Shrestha Kruthi Prashasti and Maulya Gowrava Prashasthi.

Harini is known for her acting in Kannada films like Jaganmohini', Mangalagowri', Kanyadana', Naandi' and Nandadeepa'. She has acted in about 30 films and has bagged national award. She and her actor brother Vadiraj produced Naandi' received national award for the best film and also  Namma Makkalu' which won Filmore award.

Lalita Jayaram Ira has been in the sports from her young age. During her high school days, she took part in state- and national-level sports events. She is now an employee of Life Insurance Corporation of India. She has won gold medal in Master Asian Athletics Championship in Bangkok in 2004  with a new record.

She also won gold medals in the master sports championships held in Benguelas, Shanghai and Malasia in 2006, 2008 and 2010 respectively. She also bagged gold in the 18th Masters Asiad (2014). She was awarded Rajyotsava Abhinandana Puraskara, Suvarna Karnataka Karavali Kannadiga Prashasti and Dakshina Kannada Zilla Rajyotsava Award.