Basava Puraskara is an award conferred by the Government of Karnataka

Government of Karnataka

The Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...

. The award is presented on the basis of an individuals contribution for social reforms and social change and work for bringing about religious harmony.

The Award

The Basava Puraskara is a national award. The award comprises Rs. 10 lakh

Lakh

A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...

, a memento and a citation.

Award recipients

S.No	Name	Birth / death	Awarded	Notes
1.	Mrs.Saraswathi Gora Saraswathi Gora Saraswathi Gora was an Indian social activist. Notable as the leader of the Atheist Centre for many years, she campaigned against untouchability and the caste system....	1912 - 2006	2000	Social worker, humanist, crusader for social equality Social equality Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...  from Vijayawada Vijayawada Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River and bounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. The city is located in the Krishna District, about from the state capital Hyderabad.Vijayawada literally... , Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third... . Co-Founder of the Atheist Centre.
2.	Dr. H. Narasimhaiah H. Narasimhaiah Hosur Narasimhaiah was a physicist, educator, freedom fighter and rationalist from Karnataka, India. He was popularly known as HN. He was conferred Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 1985.-Early life:...	1921 - 2005	2001	Noted Gandhian, rationalist, freedom fighter, physicist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University Bangalore University Bangalore University is a public university located in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India. The university is one of the oldest in India, dating back to 1886...  from Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava... .
3.	Prof. L. Basavaraju L. Basavaraju L.Basavaraju is a renowned and highly decorated Kannada scholar. He is the author of over 40 works. His contribution to Kannada literature spreads over about 50 years. Prof. L...	b. 1919	2005	Professor and Writer
4.	President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam	b. 1931	2006	Scientist Scientist A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word... , Former President of India President of India The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
5.	Sri Shivakumar Swamiji Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji is the present head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur District, South India and founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society. He was initiated into viraktashram order in 1930. Swamiji was born in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk. He studied English in college...	b. 1907	2007	Pontiff of the Siddaganga Matha