Zee Kannada News is set to celebrate Karnataka’s most influential contributors with the ZEE Kannada News Achievers Awards 2026, an annual initiative recognising individuals who have significantly shaped the state’s social, cultural, and developmental landscape. The ceremony will take place on February 12 at 5 pm at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.

Positioned as a celebration of real-world impact, the awards aim to honour achievers across governance, public service, business, arts, culture, and social work. The platform seeks to highlight individuals whose work continues to drive Karnataka’s progress and inspire meaningful change in society.

The event will be held in the presence of Jagadguru Shri Shri Shri Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, president of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, Mandya. Several prominent political leaders are expected to attend, including H. K. Patil, minister for law and parliamentary affairs; Ramalinga Reddy, minister for transport and muzrai; G. Parameshwara, minister for home affairs; Eshwar Khandre, minister for forest department; Shivaraj Tangadagi, minister for Kannada and culture and backward classes welfare; Rahim Khan, minister for municipal administration and hajj; P. M. Narendraswamy, chairman of the state environment and pollution control board; and V. Sunil Kumar, MLA and state BJP general secretary.

The ceremony will also witness strong representation from the film industry, with director and actor S. Narayan and actors Pramod Shetty and Pooja Gandhi among the notable attendees.

A major highlight of the evening will be the Lifetime Achievement honours, recognising individuals whose work has left a lasting impact. This year’s recipients include former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa for his contributions to public life and governance; S. Narayan for his work in Kannada cinema as a director, actor, and producer; Anke Gowda M., a librarian known for promoting reading and access to knowledge; and Chitra Magimairaj, an international snooker player who has represented India globally.

According to the organisers, the awards aim to recognise leadership, integrity, and commitment that extend beyond personal success to create social value. The initiative focuses not only on recognition but also on sharing stories of resilience, responsibility, and excellence that reflect Karnataka’s aspirations.

The event is supported by several commercial partners. Tanishq joins as presenting sponsor, while Sunpure Oil is the powered-by partner. Smartquick and Bandhan Properties are associate partners, with TRS Fashions and Abaya Gold Buyers as fashion partners. Kalyan Foots and Dhana Ganapathi Finance come on board as special partners, alongside Nandini as refreshing partner and Prajavani as printing partner.

Amid a competitive awards landscape, Zee Kannada News is positioning the Achievers Awards as a platform grounded in credibility and local relevance. By spotlighting public service, cultural contributions, and community impact, the initiative aims to go beyond celebration and underline the value of meaningful achievement in shaping Karnataka’s future.