Even four years after his untimely passing, the name Puneeth Rajkumar is still very much stirring in the memories among our citizens of Karnataka. His gentle face, his unimpaired humility, is still a permanent scar to millions. Though much remains to be processed from the bitter fact that he has not joined us, his life has been very inspirational.
The Government of Karnataka has made it a matter of fact that Dr Puneeth Rajkumar's life story and achievements would be a part of the school curriculum from 2025-2026. This is a new height for his struggle, which began in 2021. It has not been solely for edicts, but the culmination of a relentless four-year struggle committed to four seasons, and not done by just one of them.
However, since October 2021, Appu’s life has been subject to public pressure for the same to immortalise in the form of books so posterity can learn and appreciate the values, social contributions, and discipline of Appu’s life after he died. Devaraju, a resident of the Mudukuthore village in T. Narasipura taluk in Mysore district, decided to lead this movement.
Devaraju was a private bodyguard for former MP L.R. Shivaramegowda. Devaraju went around his state to inform, to raise and to get more support from people in a cause. The Secretariat - The Journey. Devaraju’s trips involved connecting up with the "who’s who" of Karnataka’s political and cinematic ecosystem. He filed formal petitions and held discussions with CM Siddaramaiah, former CMs H. D. Kumaraswamy and B. S. Yediyurappa. The President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Bhama Harish. Multiple officials in the education department and ministers. His pleas were simple but far-reaching: Appu’s life was not only about movies, but about giving back, charitable acts, the gift of blood, the awareness of eye donation, and the “Gandhada Gudi”, to preserve nature.
Focus on Health and Humanity
A notable feature of Devaraju’s petition was the growing concern over sudden cardiac arrests of youth. The fan urged the government to provide for chapters that celebrate the actor’s life but also focus on educating students on heart health and emergency awareness after Puneeth Rajkumar died of a heart attack. In answering this plea both on an emotional and societal level, the Education Minister, on the basis of the aforementioned comments, recommended to the Kannada Textbook Revision Committee the following proposal. 2025-26 (official approval) Kannada Textbook Revision Committee has now made a historic and positive decision. Based on the results of our research, it is clear that from the coming academic year (2025-2026), one of the chapters for the seminar “Appu’s Success Story" will be presented. This course:
The development from child artist (winner of National Award) to superstar. Massive contribution to social causes (supporting orphanages, schools). With his humility and “Simple Living, High Thinking” philosophy. His ultimate environmental conservation message through his last project. A Victory for Fans. For The Great House (“Dodmane”) fans, this goes beyond just news breaking – it’s a victory of love over loss. In transforming Puneeth Rajkumar into a “textbook hero,” the state guarantees that his virtues of kindness, the respect of elders and silent giving continue in every classroom in Karnataka.
