Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 23: Abbakka Utsav 2019-20 will be held on February 29 and March 1 at Asaigoli Kendra Maidan in Konaje, district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said.
Addressing media here on Sunday February 23, Kota Srinivas Poojary said, "Veteran litterateur Usha P Rai and sportswoman Shreema Priyadarshini have been chosen for the prestigious ‘Abbakka Award 2019-20’. Both have contributed immensely to their respective fields. While Usha P Rai has achieved name and fame in the literature field, Shreema Priyadarshini has received many national and international prizes in the sports field.
"Usha is known for her literary works like short stories, novel, essay, poems. She has bagged many awards such as 'Padma Bhushan B Sarojadevi Literary Award’, ‘Kannada Sahitya Parishad Award’, ‘Karavali Rathna Award’, ‘Amma Award’, ‘Baliyendra Award’, ‘Lalithadevi Gurusiddappa Sindhura Datthi Award’, ‘Pankaja Shri Award and Aryabhata International Award," he added.
Shreema Priyadarshini, an employee of the railway department has bagged national and international awards between 2002 to 2018. She has also bagged a gold medal in discus throw, setting a state record in 2003. She has secured gold in 100-meter hurdles, heptathlon, discus throw setting a record during the Mangalore University sports meet held in 2007. She has bagged medals in 100-meter hurdles and heptathlons in both national and international sports meets. She has represented India in SAARC Games, SAF Games, Asian Star Meet and Asian Grand Prix.
Abbakka Award comes with a cash prize worth Rs 25,000, citation and memento.
Kota Srinivas Poojary released the invitation of Abbakka Utsav 2019-20.
Deputy commissioner Sindhu P Rupesh, additional deputy commissioner M J Roopa and others were present.