Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, cricketer Vinay Kumar, writer Aryambha Pattabhi, the former judge A.J. Sadashiva, film actors ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, Sadashiva Brahmavar, Shani Mahadevappa and Sadhu Kokila, and theatre actor H.G. Somashekara Rao are among the 60 personalities who have been chosen for this year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

For the first time, the government has chosen a transgender for the prestigious award. Akkai Padmashali has bagged the award in the field of social service.

The award, which will be presented on November 1, carries a purse of Rs. 1 lakh, a 20-gram gold medal and a citation.

Akkai Padmashali told The Hindu that the award signalled the State’s recognition of the transgender community.

This is not Akkai’s award, but an award for the entire civil society movement

Akkai Padmashali

Activist