In his acceptance speech, DrMahadevappa said that the ecology of Karnataka is like a microcosm of the world- we are home to many wonderful species of plants and fish and We must nurture it.

K K Hebbar Sabhangana of MRPL Employees Club cheered as one as Padmashri Dr Mahadevappa remarked on the natural wealth of Karnataka and the need to nurture it with advancements in science and technology. He was speaking after being conferred with the prestigious MRPL Karnataka Rajyotsava Prashasthi 2011, that recognizes a Kannadiga’s contribution to excellence and National progress. The Award was presented yesterday, by Shri U K Basu, Managing Director, MRPL alongwith Shri P P Upadhya, Director (Technical), MRPL, Shri K.Lakshminarayana, GGM (HR) MRPL and Shri B.Sudharsan, GM (Phase III) and Chairman of the MRPL Karnataka Rajyotsava Committee. Padmashri Dr Mahadevappa is former Vice-Chancellor of Dharwad university and an eminent agro-scientist whose interventions in the field of agriculture has been internationally acclaimed.

L to R- Shri B Sudharshan and Shri U K Basu handover the memento even as S/Shri P P Upadhya and K.Lakshminarayana look on.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri U K Basu stressed on the role and responsibilities of MRPL as a corporate that includes being socially responsible besides bringing prosperity and ethical development into Karnataka. Shri P P Upadhya pointed out that MRPL is like a mini-India and the Team in MRPL works in a multicultural environment where diverse cultures and and languages converge to honour what is essentially “indian” while still cherishing all the enthnic groupsand MRPL is an example of “Vishwamanava” as described by Rashtrakavi Dr Kuvempu. Shri Lakshminarayana, GGM, HR, MRPL emphasized on the importance of protecting and promoting the mother tongue and the native culture that appears to be under threat owing to the cultural invasion through the media like TV and internet. Shri B Sudharshan, who captains the Karnataka Rajayotsava every year, while accepting everyone’s unanimous appreciation for the quality and scale of this event, urged Team MRPL to keep up the spirit and the values behind the Rajyotsava, throughout the year.

The award ceremony was preceeded by a colourful procession honouring “KarunadaTaayi” and showcased folk arts of Karnataka like Kamsale,Veeragase, Kangeelu, Chande( ladies team from Udupi)and wound up with a lilting performance by SmtSangeethaKattiKulkarni. She started her musical voyage with a spectacular rendition of “vandemataram” in RaagDesh.

Shri Prashant Upadhyaya and Smt Saraswati Alva of Team MRPL compered the event and Shri SeetaramaRai delivered the vote of thanks.