Mangalore : The Padyana Gopalakrishna (Pa Go) Award, instituted by the Pa Go Memorial Trust, was conferred on Steven Rego, sub-editor of Kannada daily ‘Vijaya Karnataka’, for excellent rural reporting at the Press Club on Monday, March 26th.

Chief Guest Umantha Kotian, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy conferred the presented the award, which comprised a memento, a shawl, a citation, and a cheque for Rs. 5000, sponsored by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade.

Stevan won the award for his Kannada report ‘Nandini Mayavaguva Munna…’published in Vijaya Karnataka. The three panel judges were Paramanand Salian, Nandagopal And Nagaveni Manchi.

Speaking on the occasion, Umanath Kotian said that Padyana Gopalakrishna has not only preached the journalist, but even to general public.

He also said that he has been a role model like Bhishma for the journalist and still his memory is alive in the form of award. The young journalists must follow his footsteps and focus on the negative and positive aspect of the society and work for the development.

These reports in future may help to remain the natural resources from getting disappeared, he added.

After receiving the award, Steven Rego said that the Vijaya Karnataka team has helped him in all his stories and reports.

Venkatesh Bantwal handed over a memento to Umanath Kotian, while Srinivas Indaje handed over memento to Mrs Savithri.

Ravindra Shetty, senior reporter of Vijaya Karnataka compered the programme. Harish Bantwal, senior reporter of Udayavani proposed the vote of thanks.

Srinivas Indaje, the secretary of Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists’ Union and Mrs Savithri wife of late Padyana Gopalakrishna were present on the occasion.