Mangaluru : Six achievers from different fields were conferred with 24th annual Sandesha Awards at Sandesha Lalithakala Mahavidyalaya at Bajjody on Friday January 23.

Veteran Konkani singer Henry D’Souza, Noted Tulu actor Navin D Padil (art), Dr C Veeranna (literature), Dr Jayamala Ramachandra (media), and Jayalaxmi Damle (best teacher). Sandesha Special Recognition Award was given to Ace Guinness record holding swimmer Gopal Kharvi.

Bishop of Puttur diocese Rev Geevarghese Mar Divannasios presided over the ceremony and presented the awards. He said that a good human being person can achieve an art. A think of art can change the mind of human heart.

Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi requested the organizers to give 20 awards to the youth they could achieve in wright way. If youths go wrong, the society also neglecting the characters, but they get recognition they will start more achievements he said.

Dr C Veeranna , Gopal Kharvi and other awardees spoke on the occasion.

Na D’Souza, Dr Na Damodar Shetty, Sara Abubakker, Chandrakala Nandavar, Eric Ozario and Richard Louis are the jury for the selection committee.

Bishop of Ballari Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza were chief guests.