Salumarada Thimakka conferred with Dr Shivaram Karanth Huttura award

Kota, October 13: Noted environmentalist Salumarada Thimakka was on Wednesday conferred with prestigious 'Dr Shivaram Karanth Huttura award' for her service.

The programme was organised by Kotathattu Gram Panchayat at Sri Shambhavi Vidyadayini School, Giliyaru near here.

Conferring the award, Minister for Rural Development Jagdish Shettar said that the award is first of its kind that is given away by a Gram Panchayath across the state.

Administrative decentralisation proves to be significant only when the bodies of the three tier local governance are strengthened. Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Gram Panchayat should be given additional powers. The recommendations made by the III Finance Commission should be implemented. The fund allocations for Gram Panchayat should be based on the population. However, the financial support by the government for both Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat is hiked to Rs one crore. The sanctioned fund should be utilised effectively, he added.

He also said there is a need to study the ideologies of late litterateur Jnanpith awardee Dr Shivram Karanth with a broader approach. His works inspired by his multi-faceted personality need to be studied in depth.

Speaking after inaugurating Karanth Kalabhavan, Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said the Karanth Kalabhavan is constructed at the cost of Rs 2 crore.

He said Udupi district administration will be directed to take up recreational activities at the Kalabhavan. A full-fledged library will be opened besides an Anganavadi.

Awareness programmes on various issues will be held. The Karantha Kalagrama at Manipal will be completed shortly and all necessary art related activities will be introduced for children, he added.

Salumarada Thimakka said that she is really ignorant about the greatness of the legendry litterateur. However, she is aware that he was also an environmentalist who struggled for the cause of environment like her. She said she is happy with the award and the felicitation ceremony. The statue of Dr Shivram Karanth was unveiled by III Finance Commission Implementation Task Force Committee Chairman A G Kodgi.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda who could not take part in the programme had sent a recorded speech and said that a hospital at Salumarada Thimmakka's village at Mavudi near Bangalore will be sanctioned at the earliest. She will be given a house by the government and free medical facilities. A sum of Rs 5 lakh will be deposited in her name.