Oversight on behalf of the Department of Kannada and Culture, has resulted in Mysuru-based folklorist PK Rajashekhar being listed for the Rajyotsava Prashasti twice.
The Kannada and Culture Department, which selects awardees for the Rajyotsava Prashati had awarded Professor Rajashekhar in 2005.
On Tuesday, the folklorist announced that he would not accept the 2017 award.
In 2005, Professor Rajashekhar had received the award during the Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations. He was a Professor of Kannada language at Maharaja's College, and was awarded the Rajyotasva Prashati in the folklore category.
“I have decided that I will not accept the award once more. I have informed the Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, NR Vishu Kumar about my decision. I have also intimated Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree,” he added.
According to Director NR Vishnu, the department is looking into the matter. He said:
Meanwhile, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, President of the Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF), on Monday evening, said that he would not accept the Rajyotsava Prashati.
“This is a mark of protest against the lackadaisical implementation of the Maintenance and Protection of Senior Citizens Act,” Dr Shanbhag told TNM.
He said the lack of interest on behalf of the government had disappointed him. “This is a sad state of affairs. When I received the invitation for the award, I declined it. I will ask them about the inaction regarding the Maintenance and Protection of Senior Citizens Act,” he said.
(This article was first published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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