Efforts by a disappointed cop who was not nominated for the Essel Awards to scuttle the event proved futile, with the Director General of Police himself gracing the occasion. Cocking a snook at this disgruntled cop, several top brass turned up at the event to express solidarity with the Essel Group and Zee Kannada.

Former super cop H T Sangliana, who is now a Member of Parliament from Bangalore, was all praise for the Essel Group for launching the Awards initiative aimed at celebrating contributions in different fields.

DGP K R Srinivasan promised that from next year, the police department would be actively involved with the Essel Group in identifying deserving police officers for the Award.

DGP (Fire Services) Jija Harisingh, Karnataka’s first lady IPS officer, felt that 20 per cent of posts in the police force should be reserved for women.

The event was attended by several retired judges who also delivered lectures imploring the police to serve the public.