When Bescom MD P. Mannivanan walked up on stage to receive the ‘Namma Bengalurean of the Year’ award on Saturday evening, a standing ovation greeted him. The Namma Bengaluru awards function was held at Malleswaram Grounds on Saturday to honour the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes, doing what they can to make the world a better place.

“This award is belief in our ideal”, said Manivannan. “We have proved that unless you are transparent and involve the public, there’s not much you can do”.

Head Constable Mahadev Sambargi was also greeted with a volley of cheers as he received the ‘Government Employee of the Year’ award. Directing traffic for nearly 15 hours a day at the Domlur Inner Ring Road junction, Constable Sambargi has earned himself a Facebook fan page, the only cop in the city to have this. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M.A. Saleem received the award for Best Government Organisation on behalf of Bangalore Traffic Police.

“This award goes to my team, they are the real heroes,” said B. Chengappa, Director, Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services, as he was awarded Best Government Employee. Chengappa was instrumental in the amendment that opened the department’s doors to young blood and for completely modernising the fire services.

Kuldeep Dantewadia (24) was the winner in the Citizen’s Youth category for his work on solid waste management and his foundation, Reap Benefit. “This means our parents will give us more room to find our feet”, he said, laughing, on the sidelines.

Father George Kannanthanam, who has spent the last decade living and working with society’s outcasts – lepers – at his organisation Sumanahalli was declared ‘Citizen of the Year’. “I have been giving a voice to the voiceless”, he said. “I am glad that people hear them now and that they are being accepted in society”.

What started out as a means to make their neighbourhood lake better, soon became the Puttenhalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust, which received the award in the ‘Citizens’ Group’ category. The trust has been working closely with BBMP to  restore the Puttenhalli lake to its former glory. Ms Y.S. Pavitra was felicitated for her work with underprivileged children in the ‘Social Entrepeneur’ category.

Corporate Social Responsibility and the media were the two new categories this year with  Britannia getting the award in the former category. MLA Vijay Kumar representing Jayanagar constituency, was back with a second nomination and win since 2010. “When I came here three years ago, I wanted to make a small difference. Now, I want to make a big one and there is much to be done”, he said, as he received his award.

The guests were felicitated by well-known writer Prof G. Venkatasubbaiah. “Politicians often don’t do their jobs, but there are so many people out there who do”, said Parliament Member Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the founder of the Namma Bengaluru Foundation which gave away the awards. “It is our duty to honour them”, he added.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs /DC / March 17th, 2013