Bengaluru: For the first time in recent years, the state government finalized the list of Rajyotsava awardees well in advance. Out of 1,869 achievers applied/ nominated, 64 have been chosen for the award.

Interestingly, most of the awardees are nominated by the public.

Among the prominent personalities selected for the award include Justice N Kumar, retired high court judge, Vijay Sankeshwara, owner of the VRL group and publisher of the Vijayavani and Digvijaya channels, Shridhara Bhanddari from Puttur (Yakshagana artist), VA Deshpande (sculptor), 12 years old Kushi (yoga ambassador), K Chidananda Gowda (former VC of Kuvempu University and son in law of Kuvempu), BK Deva Rao from Belthangady for agriculture.

BK Deva Rao from Belthangady is known for preserving tens of traditional paddy varieties. Shridhara Bhandari’s father late Sheenappa Bhandari was also a Rajyotsava award winner.

Another highlight of this year’s award is the list was announced in Chikkamagaluru by Kannada and Culture minister CT Ravi instead of an announcement in Bengaluru.