Mangalore, November 15: Former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Harikrishna Punaroor, was on Tuesday conferred with 'Pingara Rajyotsava Award-2011' in a ceremonious function organised at Town Hall in the city.
Accepting the award Mr Punaroor expressed his gratitude to the Pingara publication and jury. “I am happy that I am recognised for my service and got this award without any lobby. I am lucky to act according to what great men have spoken”, he said.
Recalling the incidents of his life one by one, he said: “Once, while traveling by train I was asked as to why I didn't travel by air condition compartment. I answered that it was because the train would reach at the same time for all bogies”
“I have struggled a lot for poor. Even though I got sanctioned 2 cents of land for the poor, today some other residents are living in that piece of land. Anyways it is important for everyone to give something back to the society and that is what I pray god for”, he said.
Introducing the award winner, Dr Mohan Alva, Chairman, Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri, called him a model for the society. “At the early stage of his life Punaroor got into the hotel business after completing Standard X. He then formed an association of hoteliers and became its president. He slowly began thinking about the society and what he could do to uplift the poor. He began by providing clothes to the poor and today he can proudly say that he is able to provide shelter to the poor. He also involved himself in organising cataract surgery to the poor patients. Recently, he was able to convince the government that poor must get 5 cents of land instead of 2 cents,” said Mr Alva.
In his welcome address, Raymond D Cunha, Editor of the 'Pingara' weekly, which instituted the award, said that the philanthropic streak of Mr Punaroor helped him bagged the award.
Explaining the motive behind instituting such an award Mr D'Cunha said when he was working as a reporter he wanted to do something for the society and thus began thinking about recognition of great people who contribute to our society. “Today this idea has shaped itself as an award ceremony”, he added.
He also said that it was very difficult to choose this year's awardee and there were around 20 entrants.
A jury, headed by chief of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan Roy Castelino, had chosen the mane of Punaroor among 20 applications received by the Kannada weekly newspaper. The other members of the jury were Davanand Jain, CG Pinto ,Dr Mohan Alva, Walter Nadalike, Fr William and others.
Mr Punaroor was chosen for this annual award on the basis of his contribution and service to society over a period of 40 years. The award included a citation, shall, garland, memento and fruit basket.
Mangalore Bishop Rev Fr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, Pandithacharya Swamiji, MLA Abhya Chandra Jain, P B Harish Rai, BJP leader Shreekar Prabhu were also present on the occasion.
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