Udupi: Multilingual film actor and social activist Prakash Raj will be honoured with the ‘Manava Ratna’ award for 2025-26 by the Udupi District Muslim Federation at its biennial award presentation ceremony and inter-community friendship convention on October 31.
The event will be held at the Basel Mission Memorial Auditorium in Udupi, recognising individuals who have made notable contributions to society across various fields.
Federation district president Muhammad Moula and immediate past president Yaseen Malpe announced the awardees, stating that the awards recognise distinguished contributions to social service, community welfare and inter-community harmony.
Along with Prakash Raj, NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Hidayatulla Abbas will receive the ‘Seva Ratna’ award, while senior activist, writer and thinker Suresh Bhat Bakrabail will be honoured with the ‘Souharda Ratna’ award.
The awards will be presented by Udupi district minister Rizwan Arshad.
Three awards to recognise contributions to society
The Udupi District Muslim Federation presents three prestigious awards every two years to acknowledge individuals whose work has made a meaningful impact on society.
The ‘Manava Ratna’ award recognises distinguished contributions to humanity, while the ‘Seva Ratna’ award acknowledges service to society. The ‘Souharda Ratna’ award honours efforts towards communal harmony and strengthening relationships among different communities.
Prakash Raj, known for his work across multiple Indian film industries and his social activism, has been selected for the Manava Ratna award for 2025-26.
Hidayatulla Abbas, an NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, will receive the Seva Ratna award in recognition of his contributions. Suresh Bhat Bakrabail, a senior activist, writer and thinker, will be conferred the Souharda Ratna award.
The federation said the awards are part of its continuing efforts to celebrate people who contribute to the wider community through their professional work, public service and commitment to social values.
Six achievers to be felicitated
In addition to the three principal awardees, six other individuals who have contributed in various fields will be felicitated during the October 31 programme.
The honourees are Hangarakatte Ibrahim Saheb, Chandrashekara Shetty Kundapura, Bipinchandra Pal Karkala, Geetha Suresh Kumar, Gerald Pinto and Fathima Raliya.
Their felicitation will form part of the convention’s broader effort to recognise achievements and encourage continued contributions to society.
The award ceremony will also serve as a platform to promote inter-community friendship and harmony, bringing together people from different backgrounds to celebrate social service and shared values.
Federation marks 25 years of service
This year’s programme is particularly significant for the Udupi District Muslim Federation as it marks 25 years of continuous work in social service, community unity and interfaith harmony.
Muhammad Moula said the organisation had achieved a long-standing goal during its milestone year by establishing its own spacious office and hall in Udupi.
The permanent facility has been set up near Jamia Masjid in the heart of Udupi city. According to Moula, the achievement was made possible through the generous contributions of donors and the sustained efforts of the federation’s office-bearers, members and well-wishers.
The new office was inaugurated on October 4 by Health Minister U T Khader.
The facility is expected to support the federation’s ongoing activities and provide a permanent base for its social initiatives, meetings and community programmes.
Convention to highlight inter-community harmony
The October 31 award ceremony will combine the recognition of individual achievers with the federation’s broader commitment to social welfare and interfaith understanding.
By honouring personalities from different fields, the organisation aims to highlight the importance of service, humanity and peaceful coexistence in society.
The biennial convention will also mark a milestone in the federation’s journey, celebrating its 25-year contribution to community welfare while looking ahead to continued work in promoting unity and harmony across Udupi.