Mysore/Mysuru: Shree Vanamali Charitable Trust, Mysuru, will confer ‘Shree Vanamali Samskruti Seva Prashasti’ on veteran journalist Dr. G.N. Ranganatha Rao and ‘Padmashri Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy Samaja Seva Prashasthi’ on G.S. Jayadeva of Deenabandhu Trust, Chamarajanagar, at the awards ceremony to be held at Veene Seshanna Bhavan in Kuvempunagar on Mar. 12 at 5 pm.

The Trust was founded by late Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy in 2009. Both awards carry a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, a citation and Lord Sri Krishna Statuette. Renowned scholar Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry will preside.

About the awardees

Dr. G.N. Ranganatha Rao was born on January 12, 1942 in a remote village called Gumballi near Yalandur taluk. After his BA he chose “journalism” and in January 1965 joined ‘Thayi Naadu,’ a Kannada Daily Newspaper as Deputy Editor and in the month of May same year changed over to ‘Samyukta Karnataka’ as its Deputy Editor.

After two years, in 1967 he entered ‘Prajavani’ as its Deputy Editor and until the year 2000, he worked as Sub-Editor of the group’s weekly and the monthly magazines such as ‘Sapthahika Puravani’, ‘Sudha’ and ‘Mayura.’

He was the Executive Editor during the last 13 years of his association with ‘Prajavani’ group.   Between 2014-15, he worked as an Editor for the monthly magazine ‘Kasturi.’

After his retirement, he continued to serve as a Professor and Head of the Department of Joumalism at some of Bengaluru’s prestigious colleges.

He has left an indelible mark by editing and bringing out a book on journalism in Kannada which hitherto no one had done for the benefit of the students of Journalism.  He has received ‘Khadri Shamanna Award for Journalism’ — a highest award instituted in the field of journalism and is a recipient of various prestigious awards from across the State.Now he is leading a retired life at Bengaluru.

Born on Aug. 30, 1951, G.S. Jayadeva has a tremendous concern for the underprivileged and the downtrodden. After completing M.Sc in Zoology, he worked as a Professor at the JSS College in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.

He also served as a Treasurer at Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra of B.R. Hills between 1981 – 1990 and was associated with various developmental works for the upliftment of the soliga tribes of B.R. Hills.

Since 1992, he is serving as the Dharmadarshi of Shakthi Dhama, Mysuru.

In 1992, he started Deenabandhu Trust for taking care of the boys who are orphaned, economically weaker and the underprivileged with a school and a hostel. He was a Visiting Professor at the Mysore University’s Vivekananda Peetha.

He is also credited with various books having  concern towards preserving the environment and maintaining a healthy society. He has been decorated with the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award as well as various other awards and recognitions. At present, he is a resident of Chamarajanagar.