Besides, four government staff of different categories were felicitated with Nagarika Seva Prashasti.

Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao and Zilla Panchayat President K P Sucharitha Shetty along with MLAs and officials gave away the awards. The Deputy Commissioner hoisted the flag instead of the district in-charge minister in the backdrop of the absence of the government.

The achievers who received awards are: K J Shetty, Kadandale (literature), K Anantharama Rao (literature), Dr A Prabhakar Rao (medicine), K Anantharam (saxophone), Lalitha Jayaram Ira (sports), Dr P Haridas Rao (science), P Kamalaksha Achar (bharatanatyam), Padyana Ganapathi Bhat (Yakshagana bhagavatike), P Purushottam Karant (art), Keshav V Phadke (rural organisation, co-operation), Ismail Shafi (Tulu cinema, drama), Hilary Crasta (journalism), Raveendra Shetty (journalism), Keerthi Mangalore (photography), Raknno magazine (Konkani literature), Krishnappa Kotekar (Tulu folklore), Shirtadi Narendra Kumar (education, sports), Shyamasundari G Bhat (Carnatic classical music), Aruna Kumari (blind artiste-Veena), Kanchan Sanjeev Rai (Yakshagana), Vasanth Kumar Perla (Akashvani), K Seetharam Shetty (theatre), K Lingappa Serigara (nagaswara), Koragappa Shingarakodi (Tulu folklore), Vasanth Shetty Bellare (horanada sanghatane), Umesh Idya (trumphet), Premnath Ullal (sports), Basheer Baikampady (Beary literature), S K Lokananda (tavil performance), Rachana Rao (bharatanatyam).

The government servants who received Nagarika Seva Prashasti are: Dr B Narasimhamurthy, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry department; R D Almeida, Assistant RTO; M Gangadhar, first class assistant in Puttur AC’s office; M Sudhama Maniyani, jamedar in DC’s office.

The Rajyotsava address featured nothing more than the customary speech, which is being read out on every Rajyotsava. Part of the speech noted the history, specialities and the stretch of the State, while the rest appealed the citizens for united and harmonious life. The speech also mentioned the educational facilities, infrastructure and industries of Mangalore.

An attractive march past and lively cultural programmes by school children brought in colours to the celebrations. Earlier to this, there was a procession from Bunts Hostel Circle to Nehru Maidan, which featured various tableaus. MLAs Yogish Bhat, U T Khader, ZP Chief Executive Officer A M Kunjappa, IGP (Western Range) A M Prasad, SP Sathish Kumar among others were present.

In another function, Rotaract Club Mangalore City honoured veteran litterateur B M Indinabba at his residence.