After the inauguration of the Independence Day Flower Show at the Lalbagh Glass House, CM Basavaraj Bommai announced. “We have decided to present the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award to Kannada film star Dr Puneeth Rajkumar on November 1,” Bommai said.

“A committee would be formed to make preparations for the award presentation ceremony. Members of Dr Rajkumar’s family would also be included as members of the committee. We all together will present the award posthumously to Puneeth in a highly dignified manner,” Bommai said to the media.

The Kannada film star becomes the tenth recipient of the state’s highest civilian honor award

Meanwhile, in 2009, the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ was last awarded to Dr Virendra Heggade for his social work. Moreover, Puneeth’s father Dr Rajkumar was among the first recipients to receive this award. In 1992, Puneeth’s father received the ‘Karnataka Award’ for his work in the entertainment industry.

However, CM Bommai inaugurated the annual Independence day flower show which will pay tribute to Puneeth’s father Dr Rajkumar.

Bommai further added, ” This year the flower show has been organized as a tribute to Dr Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar. So we are expecting a bigger response.”

Notably on 29 October 2021, Puneeth Rajkumar passed away following a cardiac arrest at the age of 46.