Karnataka confers top civilian award on Kalam

Karnataka Government has conferred the prestigious Basava Puraskara award on former President A P J Abdul Kalam at a function organized in front of Vidhana Soudha, the State Secretariat.

Presenting the top civilian award to Kalam, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said Karnataka Government was honouring the former President in recognition of his services to the entire mankind.

“I deem it an honour to confer this coveted award on behalf of the state to a yogi, who provided us with an insight to look into the future and who equipped us with his noble thoughts and noblest ideas”, Kumaraswamy said.

The Basava Puraskara award instituted in the name of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara carries a citation and a memento, besides Rs one million cash.

Speaking after accepting the award, Kalam said he would cherish the moment he received the award forever. “This is the moment, which I will cherish forever. Basavanna was a great social reformer, who wanted people to be free from sufferring and pain. The money I received will reach such a special people of this country”, Kalam said.