Seven from Karnataka figure in this year's Padma awards list

Seven persons from Karnataka, including space scientist U R Rao, actor Bharathi Vishnuvardhan and sportsman Vikas Gowda have figured in this year's Padma awards list announced here on Wednesday.

U R Rao has been named for Padma Vibhushan in science and engineering field while Kannada film actor Bharathi Vishnuvardhan has been selected for Padma Shri in film category.

Folk singer Sukri Bommagowda (Art-music category), Kannada lexicographer and critic G Venkatasubbiah (Literature and Education), Girish Bhardwaj of suspension bridge fame (Social Work) have been awarded Padma Shri.

In sports category, Vikas Gowda (discuss throw) and Indian Blind Cricket team captain Shekhar Naik have also been named for the Padma Shri award.

Sukri Bommagowda is the nightingale of the Halakki Vokkaliga tribes and an indigenous folk singer. When contacted, she said, “I am elated. I feel this is an honour for all folk artistes in the state. I never expected that I would get such a big award.”

Girish Bharadwaj (66) is known for building suspension bridges that connect isolated villages.

 An elated Girish Bharadwaj told DH: “It is a great recognition. The credit goes not only for me, but for my entire teammates who work with me in building suspension bridges. Without the team work, my work on building the bridges is not possible.”

He has constructed 127 hanging bridges so far, including in Odisha and three in Andhra Pradesh. The 128th bridge is being constructed at Sunkasala on Ankola-Yellapur Road.

Bharadwaj, a resident of Aramboor, set up a workshop in Sullia to repair farm machinery after completing Mechanical Engineering course upon father’s advice. He first built a hanging bridge at his native in 1986 with the help of 40 volunteers.

Bharadwaj does not charge for design and technical input for constructing a bridge. He has constructed hanging bridges with his own funds.

He has built more than 100 low-cost and eco-friendly suspension bridges connecting remote villages at 1/10th the cost of  of conventional steel bridges.

Looking at his work, Army personnel have sought his assistance for constructing a bridge at Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

Festive mood prevailed at Ganjam (near Srirangapatna, Mandya district), the native place of veteran centenarian lexicographer and writer Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, who has been selected for Padma Shri award. 

Venkatasubbaiah completed his education in Mysuru and Bengaluru. He was popular for his column ‘Igo Kannada’ published in Prajavani Kannada daily.

Venkatasubbaiah was selected as the first president of the Srirangapatna Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in 2005. He had participated in the ‘Noorondu Jodi’ programme at Sahitya Loka in 2007 and inaugurated the ‘Srirangapatna Dasara’ four years ago.

Girish Bharadwaj has built more than 100 low-cost and eco-friendly suspension bridges connecting remote villages at 1/10th the cost of  of conventional steel bridges. He does not charge for design and technical input for constructing a bridge.