Udaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 17 (ANI): Carrying ahead the wealthy and historic traditions of Mewar, the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation organised its forty second Annual Award Ceremony, the place distinguished people representing excellence in human values, tradition, service, and nationwide achievement had been honoured together with promising younger college students.
The ceremony was led by Shri Dr. Lakshyaraj Singhji Mewar, Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Foundation. The occasion started with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and floral tributes supplied to Eklingnathji and the Foundation’s founder Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewar, formally inaugurating the proceedings.
During his tackle, Dr. Mewar grew emotional whereas remembering his father Arvind Singhji Mewar. As the 77th Custodian (Diwan) of Eklingji, he reaffirmed his dedication to upholding the proud legacy and cultural traditions of Mewar, guided by the values instilled in him by his father. To honour his reminiscence and legacy, Dr. Mewar introduced the establishment of a brand new nationwide recognition — the ‘Maharana Arvind Singhji Mewar Award.’
Distinguished awardees from India and overseas had been welcomed with conventional floral greetings. The ceremony started with the popularity of 81 meritorious college students, whose achievements had been celebrated with a standing ovation from the viewers.
The Colonel James Tod acquired Dr. Molly Emma Aitken (USA), an eminent scholar of Indian miniature portray, notably the Mewar and Rajput court docket portray traditions. Her work represents a contemporary continuation of the legacy related to James Tod, whose historic writings helped deliver the cultural heritage of Mewar to international consideration.
The Haldighati Award was conferred upon Kamlesh Kishore Singhji, a senior journalist with greater than three many years of expertise in Indian media. Known for his work in digital journalism and for strengthening Hindi media, Singh has additionally performed a major position in mentoring younger journalists. His extensively adopted podcast Teen Taal, the place he seems as ‘Tau,’ has gained reputation for encouraging considerate public discourse on up to date points.
The Hakim Khan Sur Award was offered to Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, Vir Chakra (VrC) awardee and serving officer of the Indian Air Force. He was adorned for his extraordinary bravery throughout Operation Sindoor in 2025. A extremely expert fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Malik is entrusted with vital operational obligations. Hailing from Imphal East district in Manipur, he has emerged as a supply of delight for each his state and the nation.
The Maharana Udai Singh Award for environmental conservation was conferred upon Marimuthu Yoganathan, extensively often called the ‘Tree Man of India.’ A bus conductor with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Yoganathan has spent practically 4 many years selling environmental consciousness and tree plantation. To date, he has planted over 500,000 bushes and continues to encourage residents towards ecological duty.
The Panna Dhai Award, offered for acts that transcend the decision of responsibility, was collectively conferred upon the devoted crew members of Jet Airways Flight 9W 569, who efficiently dealt with an emergency childbirth at an altitude of 35,000 ft in 2017.
Despite restricted sources and the absence of medical amenities onboard, the crew demonstrated distinctive braveness, composure, and compassion. The staff members included Isha Jaykar, Tejas Chavan, Catherine Varshney, Sushmita David, and Deborah Tavares, who collectively helped safely ship the child. Meanwhile, within the cockpit, Captain Pranav Chhabria and Captain Martin Fesanek managed the operational challenges in the course of the vital state of affairs. The baby born in the course of the flight, named Jetson, attended the ceremony together with his household, making the second particularly memorable.
The first Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar Award was offered to Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, for his excellent management and contribution to India’s tourism and hospitality sector.
At the state stage, the Maharshi Harit Rashi Award was offered to Devvrat Mahesh Rekhe, a 19-year-old Vedic scholar, who recited the uncommon Dandkram Vikritipath of the Shukla Yajurveda (Madhyandina department) from reminiscence over 50 days in Varanasi. He is taken into account solely the second scholar in practically 200 years to finish this uncommon Vedic recitation, marking a historic second for the revival of historical Vedic traditions.
The Maharana Mewar Award for excellent service to society was conferred upon Okay. Prithika Yashini, India’s first transgender lady Sub-Inspector of Police, and senior journalist Bhuvanesh Jain, Deputy Editor at Patrika Group, who has spent over 4 many years reporting on politics, city growth, crime, training, and social points.
The Maharana Kumbha Award for contributions to Indian tradition, literature, and historical past was offered to famous Hindi and Rajasthani author Tarun Kumar Dadhich.
The Maharana Sajjan Singh Award for tremendous arts was conferred upon internationally acclaimed sand artist Ajay Rawat, founding father of the National Sand Art Park in Pushkar, recognized for monumental sand sculptures together with a 51-foot statue of Maharana Pratap.
The Dagar Gharana Award for music was offered to legendary Hindustani classical flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan.
The Rana Punja Award for tribal upliftment was conferred upon Mandana artist Dimple Chandat for her efforts to protect and doc Mandana tribal artwork traditions.
The Aravali Awards had been offered to Ram Ratan Jat and Avani Lekhara for his or her achievements in sports activities.
Ram Ratan Jat, Chief Petty Officer within the Indian Navy, is a famend ultra-marathon runner who accomplished the 135-mile ‘World’s Toughest Footrace’ in California and set a Guinness World Record by working 4,280 km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in 52 days.
Avani Lekhara, regardless of a extreme spinal wire harm, emerged as a world identify in para taking pictures. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she received gold within the 10m Air Rifle occasion and bronze within the 50m Rifle 3 Positions, turning into the primary Indian lady to win two medals at a single Paralympics. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.
The Maharana Mewar Special State Award was offered to Suratgarh City Police Station, recognised as Rajasthan’s greatest police station, and to Rajesh Vaishnav of Udaipur for preserving Mewar’s 500-year-old sacred ‘Jal Sanjhi’ water-sharing custom.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Mohalakshika Kumari Mewar, whereas the occasion was anchored by Gopal Soni in Hindi and Rupa Chakravarti in English. (ANI)