Google honour for 10 GPs from State

In a press release on Monday, the web search engine giant has said that the 10 panchayats from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have been picked from a list of 100 nominees for its Google.org Gram Panchayat Puraskar (GGPP), instituted by the company to recognise exemplary work done by village councils to improve the quality of life of their people.

“One of them, Kirgur Panchayat in Virajpet Taluk in Kodagu district, was recognised for its innovative effort in providing valuable education to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,” the statement from Google mentioned.

“Shiraguppi in Belgaum district has been chosen for providing clean and safe drinking water to its residents.”

Nagarakere (Mandya) for innovation in education, Sanoor (Udupi) for water supply, and Nallur (Tumkur) for education, are the other panchayats in Karnataka the company has recognised. The Jegurupadu Panchayat (Kadiyam district, Andhra Pradesh) has been chosen for its innovative health care programme.

The panchayats were each given Rs 5 lakh by the internet giant to be invested in the local projects. The sum for the award has been contributed by the company's employees in India.