###Icons of Human Values and the Nation’s Future Honoured

Udaipur, Carrying forward the glorious legacy of Mewar, Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation, honoured distinguished personalities representing human values and promising young students—the future of the nation—at the Foundation’s 42nd Annual Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and floral tributes offered to Eklingnathji and the Foundation’s founder Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar, marking a dignified and spiritual start to the event.

In an emotional address, Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar recalled the values and guidance of his father, Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar, stating that as the 77th Shri Ekling Diwan, he remains committed to upholding the rich traditions and responsibilities of Mewar. On the occasion, he also announced a new national honour titled the “Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar Alankaran”, instituted in memory of his father to celebrate exemplary contributions to society.

The ceremony welcomed eminent guests from across India and abroad. A total of 81 students were felicitated for their academic excellence, with the audience rising to applaud their achievements.

International and National Honours

The prestigious Colonel James Tod International Award was conferred upon Dr. Molly Emma Aitken (USA), a leading scholar of Indian miniature painting, particularly Mewar and Rajput court art. Her research has played a significant role in bringing the artistic heritage of Mewar to global recognition.

The Haldighati Award was presented to senior journalist Kamlesh Kishore Singh for his three decades of contributions to Indian media. Known for innovations in digital journalism and mentoring young reporters, he has also gained popularity through the podcast Teen Taal, where his persona “Tau” encourages thoughtful public discourse.

The Hakim Khan Sur Award was bestowed upon Rizwan Malik, Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force, who was decorated with the Vir Chakra for his extraordinary bravery during Operation Sindoor in 2025.

Recognising Environmental and Social Contributions

The Maharana Udai Singh Award was presented to Marimuthu Yoganathan, widely known as the “Tree Man of India.” A bus conductor with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, he has dedicated nearly four decades to environmental conservation and has planted more than 500,000 trees.

The Panna Dhai Award, recognising extraordinary service beyond duty, was collectively awarded to the crew members of Jet Airways Flight 9W 569, who successfully assisted in an emergency childbirth at 35,000 feet. The crew included Isha Jaykar, Tejas Chavan, Catherine Varshney, Sushmita David, and Deborah Tavares, while pilots Pranav Chhabadia and Martin Fesanek managed the operational challenges. The child born during the flight was fondly named Jetson.

Special Recognition and Cultural Awards

The inaugural Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar Alankaran was conferred upon Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to India’s tourism sector.

Other distinguished honours included:

Maharshi Harit Rashi Award to Devvrat Mahesh Rekhe, a 19-year-old Vedic scholar who completed the rare recitation of the Shukla Yajurveda Dandakram from memory.

Maharana Mewar Award to K. Prithika Yashini, India’s first transgender woman police sub-inspector, and senior journalist Bhuvnesh Jain.

Maharana Kumbha Award to noted Hindi and Rajasthani writer Tarun Kumar Dadhich.

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award to internationally acclaimed sand artist Ajay Rawat, founder of the National Sand Art Park in Pushkar.

Dagar Gharana Award to legendary flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Rana Poonja Award to Mandana artist Dimple Chandat for preserving tribal art traditions.

Honouring Sporting Excellence

The Aravalli Award was presented to ultra-marathon runner Ram Ratan Jat, a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy, and Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara, who made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by winning gold and bronze medals in shooting.

Special State Honours

The Maharana Mewar Special Award was presented to Suratgarh City Police Station for being adjudged the best police station in Rajasthan, and to Rajesh Vaishnav of Udaipur for preserving the 500-year-old sacred water-sharing tradition of Mewar.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Mohalaxika Kumari Mewar. The event was anchored in Hindi by Gopal Soni and in English by Rupa Chakravarti.