New Delhi: Karnataka government renamed the Ring Road in Bengaluru as Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road, paying tribute to the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar. Puneeth’s wife Ashwini has thanked the state government and CM Basavaraj S Bommai for the honour. 


Taking to Instagram, Ashwini shared a post that read, “Our heartfelt gratitude for the government of Karnataka, especially Sri, Basavarak S Bommai, honorable chief minister of Karnataka, for dedicating the 12 Kms Ring Road from Nayandahalli Junction to Vega City Mall Junction as ‘Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road’ in honour of Appu. I am enormously indebted to all in the State government, the Karnataka Film Chamber, the film fraternity, and the innumerable fans for keeping Appu alive among us in myriad ways.” 






The government recently approved the proposal to name the stretch of Mysuru Road to Banner Ghatta Road after Puneeth Rajkumar. 


Last year, Bengaluru University included a lesson in the 'Vaanijya Kannada - 3' textbook prescribed for B.Com students on the late superstar. The lesson is a chapter culled out from 'Neene Rajakumara' book written by journalist Sharanu Hullur. 
 
The fans of Puneeth had demanded to include his life story and philanthropic activities in school textbooks as they serve as an inspiration.  


Puneeth Rajkumar supported social causes and generously contributed to charities and foundations. He passed away on October 29, 2021, after suffering cardiac arrest. He was 46 years old.     


Puneeth was supporting 26 orphanages, 16 old age homes, and 19 gaushalas. He ran Shakti Dhama, a shelter for homeless women and girls. He supported thousands of girl students. 
 
After his death, Kanteerava Indoor stadium where his body was kept saw more than 20 lakh people who came to pay their tribute to the actor.  


One of the biggest superstars of Kannada cinema, Puneeth was the son of superstar Rajkumar. He started his career as a child artist with the film 'Bettadu Hoovi' and even won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. Puneeth made his debut as a lead hero in 2002 with the Kannada film 'Appu.  Puneeth was last seen in  'Yuvarathnaa', which released early this year and became a blockbuster. 


Puneeth has worked in films like 'Abhi', 'Veera Kannadiga', 'Arasu', 'Raam', 'Hudugaru' and 'Anjani Putra', among others. 


(With IANS inputs)