Mysore/Mysuru: Veteran journalist Dr. G.N. Ranganatha Rao of Bengaluru was conferred ‘Shree Vanamali Samskruti Seva Prashasti’ and G.S. Jayadeva, Founder of Chamarajanagar’s Deenabandhu Trust, was conferred ‘Padmashri Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy Samaja Seva Prashasti’ at a programme organised by Shree Vanamali Charitable Trust, Mysuru, at Ganabharathi Veene Seshanna Bhavan in Kuvempunagar here yesterday.

Speaking after receiving the award, Jayadev said that he initially declined to accept the award saying that it can be given to other deserving achievers. But he now felt happy after receiving the award (‘Padmashri Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy Samaja Seva Prashasti’) along with veteran Journalist Dr. Ranganatha Rao who was conferred ‘Shree Vanamali Samskruti Seva Prashasti.’

Complimenting  Sumana of Vanamali Charitable Trust for spending her personal money for the cause of the Trust, Jayadeva said that Sumana has a lot of interest for serving the society.

Pointing out that he has read Sumana’s work ‘Sumananjali’, he said that many writers have explained about the charity works of Sumana in the book. Sumana is one among those who are working seriously for the betterment of the society, he added. Maintaining that change should come from ourselves and our homes as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, Jayadeva observed that he found freedom  of his own by forming Deenabandhu Trust, which is working for the cause of shelterless and orphaned children.

‘Shree Vanamali Samskruti Seva Prashasti’ recipient Dr. Ranganatha Rao, who also spoke, said that though he has not yet personally met Sumana, he has come to know of her societal deeds, while working as a Journalist. Recalling that Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy was his mentor, he said that he was virtuous for having worked with the great personality on two occasions. Recounting his career as a Journalist since 1965, Dr. Ranganantha Rao said that Dr. Mathoorji’s contributions for the growth of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan will be remembered for generations to come.

Five talented economically backward students were distributed financial aid on the occasion. Shree Vanamali Charitable Trust President Sundar Raj,  Secretary R.S. Nagaraju, Trustee Meena, Member Satyabhama Nagaraju, Mathoor M.N. Chandrashekar and others    were present.