Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Oct 14: Udupi district Muslim Okkoota (R) will host an award ceremony to recognize individuals who have made significant contribution to society and various communities meeting at Basel Missionaries Memorial auditorium on November 10.
Mohammed Idrees, general secretary Udupi district Muslim Okkoota, addressing the media in the press meet held on October 14 said, “The awards include the 'Manava Ratna' for those who have upheld human values and the 'Seva Ratna' for social service, and also introduced a new award this year the 'Souharda Ratna,' aimed at honouring those who work towards communal harmony.”
Sasikanth Senthil, a former deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada and current member ofparliament, has been selected for the 'Manava Ratna' award. The 'Seva Ratna' will be awarded to K S Nisar Ahmed, a businessman originally from Karkala who has made his mark in Dubai. Additionally, Fr William Martis, a Christian clergyman and social activist from Udupi, will be the first-ever recipient of the 'Souharda Ratna' award.
In addition to the awards, six individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as education, literature, folklore, organization, and social service will be honored. Among them are a distinguished writer and speaker Dr Gananath Ekkar, political leaders Saraswati D Bangera and Sarala Kanchan, a Dalit leader and social activist Annappa Nakre, and social workers Nityananda Olakadu and Haseenaru Kodi Kundapura, who have dedicated their lives to serving the marginalized.
The awards will be presented by Karnataka’s minister for women and child development and Udupi district in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. The keynote address will be delivered by a folk scholar and chairman of the Kannada Development Authority Dr Purushotham Bilimale. The event will be inaugurated by chancellor of Yenepoya University Abdulla Kunhi, president of the Udupi District Muslim Federation Yaseen Malpe will deliver a vote of thanks. Principal of Baraka International School and College B S Sharafuddin, will preside over the ceremony. The event will be coordinated by S K Iqbal Katapadi, with Iqbal Manna as co-coordinator and Ismail Hussain overseeing the programme.
Notable guests include former ministers Vinay Kumar Sorake and Jayaprakash Hegde, alongside other dignitaries such as honorary president Udupi district Muslim Okkoota Haji Abdulla Parkala, president Karnataka Allied Health Council Dr U T Iftikhar, businessman Prasad Raj Kanchan, Afroze Assadi Dubai, president Sahabalve K Phaniraj, organization secretary Karnataka state Dalith Sangharsh Committee Sundar Master, president Sugamya district women’s federation Gracy Coellho, and principal of Kodi BEd College Dr Firdose.
Treasurer Udupi district Muslim Okkoota Sayyad Farid, secretary Ismail Sheik, vice president Salauddin Abdula, member Daffrulla, event coordinator Iqbal Manna and zilla panchayath member Abdul hajid Udyavara, were present in the press meet.