Mysore : Former IAS officer  Dr. C Somashekhar who is known for his dedicated and sincere service and is also famous as a cultural ambassador owing to the interest  evinced by him in literary and cultural fields, was warmly felicitated  at a function held at the Navajyothi Auditorium of JSS Women’s College in Mysore on Saturday August 9. The function was held under the joint aegis of Mysore District Kannada Sahitya Parishat and Mysore Nagarika Vedike.

Shree Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, Pontiff of Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Mutt, Suttur Shree Kshetra, Mysore, blessed the occasion.

The function was inaugurated by MV Rajashekharan, former union minister while Nadoja De. Javaregowda, former vice chancellor presided over the function. Dr Jaraganahalli Shivashanker, veteran writer and KV Nagarajamurthi, noted theatre personality,  delivered the felicitation address.

Tara Anuradha, famed actress and MLC was present as the guest of honour. M Chandrashekhar, President, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Prof. Subbappa, President, Mysore Nagarika Vedike, S Shivamurthi Kanya and Gowrishanker Swami, Convenors of the Vedike were also on the dais.

Dr C. Somashekhar who is now retired from service, has however not retired from his dedicated and committed efforts towards promoting Kannada language and literature. He also has a D.Lit in Vachana literature to his credit. He  has participated in several state, national and international level conferences. He belongs to a rare genre of IAS officers and has even refused a Central Government posting, owing to his  unflinching love for Kannada and his desire to serve his home state.