) In a boost for the BJP among a Vokkaliga sub-caste in poll-bound Karnataka, Padma Shri awardee Sukri Bommagowda on Thursday said that the entire Halaki Vokkaliga tribe are elated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for giving the coveted award to two people belonging to the community.
“Not only me, but also my Halaki Vokkaliga community are feeling proud and elated, after two people belonging to my community were bestowed with Padma Shri award by the Narendra Modi government,” she told a section of media.
Sukri was honoured with the Padma Shri, the third-highest civilian honour in the country, for folk singing in 2017. She is populary known as the Nightingale of Halakki Vokkaliga tribe.
PM Modi, during his visit to Ankola for the election campaign yesterday, had met Sukri another Padma Shri awardee Tusli Gowda, and sought blessings from them.
“I have a simple request to make to the government that it should include us (Halakki Vokkaliga tribe) under the ST category. This will benefit us and secure our children’s future,” Sukri told reporters.
Tulsi, an environmentalist, also expressed happiness over PM Modi’s first visit to Ankola, and said the entire Uttar Kannada are delighted about her receiving the Padma Shri award.
Tulsi was honoured with the prestigious award in 2021 for planting more than 30,000 saplings and taking care of forest department’s nurseries.
