Bescom MD P Manivannan, Head Constable Mahadev Sambargi, MLA of Jayanagar Consistuency, B N Vijay Kumar, Fr George Kannanthanam are among the winners of Namma Bengaluru Awards for 2012 given by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation to recognize the extra-ordinary contributions of ordinary citizens and organizations to the city.
The Namma Bengaluru Awards for 2012 received unprecedented response from the public with citizens nominating more than 61,000 citizens of Bengaluru. A 20 member jury, chaired by Pradeep Kar, Chairman of Microland consisted of prominent citizens of Bengaluru from the fields of art and culture, music, literature, law, media and environment. The jury, after serious deliberations, short-listed 52 finalists in eight categories and the award of the Namma Bengalurean.
The awards ceremony was held at the Malleshwaram ground and chief guest Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, the well known Kannada lexicographer gave away the awards. Professor G S Siddalingaiah, noted poet talked about the role played by the citizens to protect and nurture the values of Bengaluru.
CSR: Britannia, for their work in solid waste management. Pic: Raghavendra
Government Employee: B G Chengappa, Director Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services. Pic: Raghavendra
Government Employee: Mahadev Rajappa Sambargi, Police Head Constable. Pic: Raghavendra
Citizen (Individual): Fr George Kannanthanam, Founder, Sumanahalli Society. Pic: Raghavendra
Citizen’s Youth Category: Kuldeep Dantewadia. Pic: Raghavendra
Namma Bengalurean of The Year: P Manivannan. Pic: Raghavendra
Media: Seethalakshmi S – Metro Editor, The Times of India. Pic: Raghavendra
Elected Representative: Vijay Kumar, MLA, Jayanagar. Pic: Raghavendra
Social Entrepreneur: Y.S.Pavithra. Pic: Raghavendra
Citizens Group: Puttenhalli Neighborhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT). Pic: Raghavendra
Government organization: Bangalore Traffic Police. Pic: Raghavendra
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The winners of the Namma Bengaluru Awards for 2012 are:
- Citizen (Individual): Fr George Kannanthanam, Founder, Sumanahalli Society
- Citizen’s Youth Category: Kuldeep Dantewadia
- Citizens Group: Puttenhalli Neighborhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT)
- Government Employee: B G Chengappa, Director Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services
- Government Employee: Mahadev Rajappa Sambargi, Police Head Constable
- Government organization: Bangalore Traffic Police
- Social Entrepreneur: Y S Pavithra
- Elected Representative: Vijay Kumar, MLA, Jayanagar
- CSR: Britannia, for their work in solid waste management
- Media: Seethalakshmi S – Metro Editor, The Times of India
- Namma Bengalurean of The Year: P Manivannan
CATEGORY: CSR
Britannia has been a pioneer and leader in the field of effective waste Management and has also provided several NGOs with the raw materials to recycle or up-cycle. Their waste production reduced by 30% when they started converting the food waste into manure. Their investment in Bangalore over the last one year alone is Rs 5.51 Lakhs.
CATEGORY: CITIZEN (INDIVIDUAL)
Fr George Kannanthanam, Founder, Sumanahalli Society, is a unique citizen who has reached out to the most marginalized groups in society, those afflicted with leprosy, HIV and disabilities, and also orphans, street boys and juvenile delinquents. 800 houses were constructed for the rehabilitation of leprosy-affected persons in different parts of Bangalore.
Puttenhalli Neighborhood Lake Improvement Trust is the first ever citizens group in the city that was handed over the management of a lake. Started by Usha Rajagopalan, Arathi Manay, Prasanna K Vynatheya, O P Ramaswamy and Nupur Jain, in 2010, PNLIT has been actively working with the BBMP on the rejuvenation and maintenance of Puttenhalli lake.
Kuldeep Dantewadia, 24, Founder, Reap Benefit, has taken on a project on decentralized solid waste management, and engaged with corporates to reduce environmental impact on organisations. All this by working with thousands of youth through his company Reap Benefit. This bright youngster has worked with government schools to bring systemic environmental changes to optimise resources, has planted hundreds of medicinal plants and empowered various eco-clubs.
CATEGORY: GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE
B G Chengappa – Director Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services. Having worked in the Fire department for 38 years, Chengappa has brought about amendment in the rules to accommodate young blood in the fire Department; he has been responsible for modernizing fire services. He has also won several awards including the President’s Award.
Mahadev Rajappa Sambargi, Police Head Constable, is extremely diligent in his duty as a traffic policeman, working 15 hours a day on the bus Inner Ring Road, Domlur, this cop is also extremely people friendly. He single-handedly manages the deluge on the road during peak hours ensuring safety and smoothness.
CATEGORY: GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION
Bangalore Traffic Police: Innovating in the use of technology to manage traffic woes in Bangalore, Bangalore Traffic Police has not just reduced the percentage of road accidents, but has also become a pioneer. For the first time in the country, there is paperless enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Act and Rules. It is also the only city to have solar powered signals. There is also a dedicated help line facility, where citizens can receive updates through over SMS.
CATEGORY: MEDIA
Seethalakshmi S, City Editor, TOI is a city editor with TOI, handling all beats ranging from crime to education to health to civic infrastructure on a daily basis. She has been instrumental in bringing about various changes in the city including managing waste. She has been awarded several international fellowships and awards for her excellence.
CATEGORY: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
Pavithra Y S, Managing Director, Vindhya-e-Infomedia Pvt started the BPO in 2006 that employs differently-abled people. The organization has helped turn around the way differently abled are seen, and also the way they see themselves. Vindhya has changed the lives of more than 600 people with disabilities and women below poverty line. It provides IT and ITES services through the state-of the-art center located in Bangalore, serving global and local markets and are a leading force in serving various prominent banking and microfinance institutions.
CATEGORY: ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE
B N Vijay Kumar, MLA, Jayanagar Constituency, has been responsible for a host of activities such as Rain Water Harvesting in Jayanagar, free coaching classes for SSLC Students, setting up an electronic reference library, conversion of organic waste, developing dedicated track for bicycles, developing many play grounds and replacement of old sewerage lines.
NAMMA BENGALUREAN OF THE YEAR
P Manivanan- Managing Director, BESCOM, has been responsible for managing Bescom with the aim of providing uninterrupted power to Bangalore using innovative methods. He also focuses on consumer satisfaction supported by the 24×7 helpline and engages with citizens through consumer interaction meetings.⊕
Congrats! We want Manivannan as the Commissioner for Bangalore. Let us take out a rally to get him to transform Bangalore.
Shettar sira, swalpa Bengalur kadigoo nodripa.. 🙂
It is quite an irony. In our layout which is BDA approved BESCOM is not giving support it is the only BDA approved layout in yelahanka and BESCOM has shunned away giving support that is what our association says. We had terrible times getting power here and have spent more than 1.5 lakhs from our pocket and many residents are considering going back abroad including myself because the state is so backward. So I wonder how manivanan claims 24*7 power supply to all layouts it is seems more like a joke and farce for people who are directly facing issue. This is all politics and game to be in limelight. Nothign genuine. India has again proved they support falsehood. Only in sadashiv nagar and other places where politicians live they give uninterrupted power supplies.