Pics: Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Feb 1: The Ayush Habba 2026 and Ayush Abhinandanam award ceremony was held on Sunday, recognising the outstanding contributions of practitioners from the Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy systems of medicine. The programme honoured several distinguished personalities for their dedicated service to the AYUSH sector.
The event was graced by Dr U T Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, as the chief dignitary.
The prestigious Ayush Ratna award was conferred upon Padma Vibhushan Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, in recognition of his immense contribution to healthcare and social welfare.
As Dr Heggade could not be present, the award was received on his behalf by his daughter, Shraddha Heggade. Former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel was also present on the occasion.
Among the other chief guests were MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur and Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, president of Bunts Sangha, Mangaluru.
The Ayush Vibhushan award was presented to Dr M Mohan Alva, chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri. The Ayush Bhushan awards were conferred on several eminent doctors, including Dr U T Fareed, president, Allied Health Sciences Board, Karnataka; Dr Prasanna Narasimha Rao, director, SDM Ayurveda Medical Colleges; Dr Giridhar Kaje, Prashanthi Ayurveda Hospitals, Bengaluru; Dr Prashanth Shetty, principal, SDM Naturopathy and Yoga College, Ujire; Dr Abraham Zakaria, St George Homoeopathy Pharmacy, Mangaluru; Dr Gopalakrishna K, Belthangady; Dr Haraprasad Thudiyadka, Sullia; Dr Jeddu Ganapathi Bhat, Bantwal; Dr Praveen Raj, Mangaluru; Dr Sri Krishna Shastri, Puttur; Dr Nagaraj Poojari; Dr D V Leeladhar, Sullia; Dr Harikrishna Panaje, Puttur; and Dr Shashikiran Shetty, Udupi.
The Ayush Sri awards were presented to Dr Shashikanth Tiwari (Mangaluru), Dr Ammina Migiro (Udupi), Dr Vanitha Shetty (Moodbidri), and Dr Mohammed Rafiq.
The Ayush Yuva Sri awards recognised young achievers, including Dr Supreeth Lobo (Uppinangady), Dr Rajesh Bayiri (Kundapur), Dr Ayisha Suha (Mangaluru), Dr Praveen Rai (Mangaluru), and Dr Nandish (Mangaluru).
In their addresses, the guests congratulated the organising AYUSH team and appreciated their efforts in promoting India’s traditional systems of medicine. The speakers highlighted the growing relevance of AYUSH in modern times and stressed the need to integrate traditional healthcare practices with contemporary medical systems for the holistic well-being of society.
The programme concluded with a call to strengthen awareness of natural and preventive treatment methods and to encourage the younger generation to carry forward the rich legacy of AYUSH.