By The News Observer Desk,
Ankola: The Gaonkar Memorial Foundation, Basgod, will host its 13th annual Pratibha Puraskar ceremony on Sunday, March 8, at 4 pm at the Satyagraha Smarak Bhavan in Ankola. The event will honour achievers from diverse fields for their outstanding contributions to society, Foundation President Devanand Gaonkar announced at a press conference held at a private hotel in the town.
Actor Harshika Poonacha will grace the occasion and release the revised edition of Bahumukha, a book chronicling the life and legacy of Bommayya Raku Gaonkar. A respected figure from Basgod’s historic Gaonkar family, he was known for his role in the freedom movement and his wide-ranging contributions as an educationist, religious leader, thinker, renowned Yakshagana artiste, judicial panel member, cooperative sector leader, and progressive farmer. He is remembered as a model citizen who devoted his life to social service.
The programme will be presided over by Journo Gangadhar Hiregutti. Dr Ranjit Beeranna Nayak Kenchan, a physician at KLE’s Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital in Belagavi, will be felicitated during the event. He will also deliver a special lecture on the role of youth in nation-building.
Several achievers from across Karnataka will be honoured at the ceremony. Among them are Sainath Manu Dhavan of Joida, selected for the Karnataka Senior National Lagori Team; creative artist Mahatma Manjunath Jain; Bharatanatyam exponent Shamita Rajashekhar of Mundgod; Yakshagana artiste Atreya Ravish Gaonkar of Yellapur; Indian Air Force Flying Officer Saishree Arun Nayak from Karwar, recognised under the patriotism category; Yashwant Simon Divate in the skills category; N. Aditi, who secured 24 gold medals in M.Sc. Chemistry from the University of Mysore; Navaneet Naveen Kamat of Dandeli in sports; Shafeeqa M. Kagad of Haliyal in fashion designing; and Kalpana Masti Moger of Bhatkal in accountancy.
The Foundation has invited the public to attend the function and celebrate the achievements of these distinguished individuals.
