Bengaluru: The State’s highest civilian award ‘Karnataka Ratna’ was posthumously conferred on late Kannada actor Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, fondly called as ‘Appu’, in the presence of Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and famed Telugu Actor Junior NTR, Infosys Foundation Founder Chairperson Sudha Murty and thousands of fans on Tuesday, marking Kannada Rajyotsava celebration.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai handed over the award to Puneeth’s wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar at a grand function held on the steps of Vidhana Soudha. The award carries a citation made of Silver and 50 gm Gold. Puneeth became the 9th and youngest recipient of the award and the second from his family. His father thespian Dr. Rajkumar was given the award in 1992 at the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha.
