Bengaluru: Finally, the BBMP gave away the annual Kempegowda awards on Saturday, September 1. The recipients are not one, two or ten. Startling yet true, the award was given away to as many as 500 persons.

The sad state of affairs was evident when Deputy CM G Parameshwar openly said that he did not know anything about the contributions of most of the awardees.
Initially, 250 names were reportedly shortlisted for the award, but later on, it is said that many managed to add their names to the final list through the BBMP officials and the corporators.

All in all the event was a mess. While some complained about the number of awardees, many awardees said that they were intimated about the award only couple of days before the event. The programme that began early in the evening went on till 11 pm and many award winners left the venue without accepting the award!
While renowned theatre personality Srinivas Kappanna rejected the award, actor Srujan Lokesh donated Rs 50,000 for the cause of Paurakarmikas after Dr Parameshwar announced that a special hospital will be set up in the city for the pourakarmikas.

While the number of awardees did become a topic of discussion, a few justified the same and said that if the numbers are restricted, then even the award would confine to Bengaluru. With 500 awardees, achievers across the state could be honoured for their good work.

It may be recalled that the award, which was scheduled to be held in August was postponed twice, due to demise of AIADMK Chief M Karunanidhi and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee.