As per tradition, ACCE (I), Mysore, felicitated a prominent personality at the seminar. This year, Padma Shri awardee Somanna from H.D. Kote, born in Jenu Kuruba community, was honoured for his lifelong advocacy for marginalised tribal communities. Somanna co-founded Budakattu Krushikara Sangha in 1981, championing environmental conservation, tribal land rights and tribals’ education, healthcare and livelihood. Awarded Padma Shri in 2024, Somanna shared his struggles during the event, recounting his hardships and loss of four siblings.