Bengaluru: Marking the spirit and sacrifice of Vijay Diwas, Aryavarth Publication Private Limited, under the banner of its Kannada edition Parivartan Prabha, organised the Karnataka Ratna Awards समारोह with much solemnity and pride. The event brought together senior defence officials, social leaders and achievers from across Karnataka.
The programme was graced by Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General Dinesh Kumar Yadav as the Chief Guest, while Major General V.P.S. Bhakuni attended as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony commenced with traditional lamp lighting and Ganesh Vandana, symbolising an auspicious beginning. During the inaugural session, Major General Bhakuni presented awards to distinguished personalities from various fields on behalf of Parivartan Prabha.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Bhakuni highlighted the historic importance of December 16 — Vijay Diwas, recalling the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to the surrender of nearly 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation. He noted that this was the largest military surrender witnessed globally after the Second World War, and described the day as a moment of enduring pride for every Indian, reinforcing India’s stature on the world stage.
Following his address, Aryavarth Publication Chairman Dr Prashant Goenka, directors B.S. Satya Kumar and Suprit S. Kumar, along with special guest Dr Satish Goyal, felicitated Major General Bhakuni for his distinguished service.
Chief Guest BSF IG Dinesh Kumar Yadav, in his address, underlined the broader responsibility of the media, stating that newspapers must go beyond reporting news and actively contribute to social awareness. He emphasised the crucial role played by the BSF in safeguarding national security, including its significant contribution during the 1971 war, and expressed pride in commanding a large operational unit.
The cultural segment featured a captivating Bharatanatyam performance by Deepti Vijay, followed by patriotic songs rendered by singer Vimal Pawar, which filled the venue with nationalistic fervour. The performances drew warm applause from the audience, including the senior defence officers present.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Prashant Goenka said that December 16 occupies a unique place in India’s history and must be remembered by future generations. He explained that the awards ceremony was intentionally held on Vijay Diwas, despite it being a working day, to instil a sense of patriotism and historical awareness among the youth.
A special highlight of the event was the address by 1971 war veteran Ajmer Singh Sodhi, recipient of the Star of Karnataka Award, who shared first-hand accounts of the Battle of Longewala, leaving the audience deeply moved.
Award recipients included:
Karnataka Ratna Award 2025: Ravana Uma Devi
Karnataka Excellence Award 2025: Dr Raghvendra Singh
Karnataka Icon Award: Manjunatha V., Tarun Sudheer
Karnataka Glory Award: S.K. Ananta, B.K. Mohan Kumar
Karnataka Rising Star Award: Sachin Dhanpal Patil
Karnataka Excellence Award: Harsh Narayan, V.N. Shridhar Guruji
Karnataka Gaurav Award: Krishna Kumar Gowda
Star of Karnataka Award: Ajmer Singh Sodhi, M.N. Chandrashekhar
Cadets from the NCC Karnataka 9th Battalion also participated in the programme, adding discipline and youthful energy to the ceremony.
The event concluded with the national anthem, followed by a formal dinner. The organisers expressed gratitude to sponsors including Apex Steel and Sariya, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ayurveda, and The Golden Farms Resort, where the ceremony was held.
