Belthangady : Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala  has been selected for the 16th  Devi Ahilyabai National Award considering his outstanding services in the field of education, religion, social service, rural development and health care. The award is given by the Sri Ahilyotsava Samithi of Indorenagar in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Heggade will receive the award at a function to be held at Indore on March 2. Justice Ramesh Chandra Lahoti,  former  chief justice of Supreme Court, Sumithra Mahajan,  President of Ahilyabai National Festival Committee and Ashok Daga, Working President,  Swami Swaroopanandaji Saraswathi of Shruti Sagara Ashram of Phoolnagara and others will participate in the function. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh.

Several eminent men including Dr BR Chidambaram, Vijayaraje Sindhia, Nanaji Deshmukh and Sudhamurthi have received the award in the previous years.