Bengaluru: Karnataka government conferred ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award to late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar on Tuesday at a grand function held in the premises of the Vidhana Soudha.
Thousands of fans witnessed the programme amid rains and cheered the recognition to their favourite star in the presence of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, Telugu superstar Jr NTR and Indian author, educator, philanthropist and chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murthy.
Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, the wife of the late actor, received Mysuru peta (traditional cap) and award as thousands cheered and celebrated the moment.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his cabinet colleagues were also present on the occasion.
On the occasion, Rajinikanth who spoke in Kannada, gave a message of unity by stating that “he would pray before Rajarajeshwari (Hindu goddess), Allah and Jesus that all should live like brothers without differentiation of caste and religion.”
The statement by Rajinikanth assumed importance in the wake of recent social unrest in the state.
