Mangaluru: The 24th annual Sandesha Awards, instituted by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education were presented to six eminent personalities on Friday, here in the city. 

Navin D Padil, C. Veeranna, actor Jayamala, singer Henry D’Souza, Jayalaxmi Damle and Guinness record holding swimmer Gopal Kharvi were felicitated with the Sandesha award.

In his address, Bishop of Puttur diocese Geevarghese Mar Divannasios asked the people to devote time for more practice in any form of art. He stressed the point of good deeds in life in order to be a good human being. Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi said there is no religion which sees women at par with men. 

In the cultural programme which followed later, dances by from St Joseph’s College, Jeppu and Nach Sobhann were performed. Maria from Brazil, who studies Indian dance at Sandesha, performed Belle dance. Henry D’Souza sang ‘Sangche Kithem Hay Hay’, one of his famous compositions.