Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation Announces 10 National Excellence Award Winners

• Ten individuals selected for the 2026 national awards after the Foundation received more than 1,000 entries.
• Each award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a memento and a citation.
• Two Pravasi Bharatiya awards will recognise contributions by members of the Indian diaspora.
• The award ceremony will take place on November 29 at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Oct: The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Excellence Awards 2026 will recognise 10 individuals for their exceptional contributions to journalism, science reporting, art and culture, social service, and the welfare of the Indian diaspora. The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation has announced the names of the awardees, with each recipient set to receive a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a memento and a citation.

The Foundation said it received more than 1,000 entries from across the country, in different languages, covering six categories. A team of experts examined the submissions and selected 10 individuals for the national awards.

The Foundation has also announced two awards under the Pravasi Bharatiya category to recognise members of the Indian diaspora who have made a mark in their respective fields and contributed to the country through social engagement.

Journalism Award for Vineetha Venattu

The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in Journalism 2026 will be presented to Ms. Vineetha Venattu, Senior Sub-Editor at Janmabhumi Daily, Kochi, Kerala.

She is being honoured for her commendable journalistic and literary accomplishments. According to the Foundation, her track record over the last two decades has been remarkable for promoting a nationalistic narrative in the field of communication.

Science Reporting Award for Sreedevi G. R.
The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in Science Reporting 2026 will be conferred upon Ms. Sreedevi G. R., Senior Producer at Amrita TV.

Over the past two decades, she has made significant contributions to promoting scientific and spiritual awareness through television journalism.

Her popular programmes include Shreshta Bharatham, Sandhyadeepam, Pradhakshinam, Bharatha Dharshanam and Jeevadhara. These programmes, produced by her, have had a considerable impact on the socio-cultural lives of the channel’s viewers.

Award for Exposing Medical Malpractices for Dr. N. R. Madhu
The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in Exposing Medical Malpractices 2026 will be conferred upon Dr. N. R. Madhu, editor of the national weekly Kesari.

He has served as the editor of the publication for the last decade and is recognised as a well-known writer and literary figure in Malayalam.

The Foundation has also highlighted his contribution to science communication in Kerala. He runs a popular science channel named Science Corner, through which he explains complex scientific subjects in a simple and accessible manner.

The channel promotes awareness about space science, quantum physics, Ayurveda, medical science and cosmology. It particularly focuses on India’s scientific achievements in ancient as well as modern times, generating considerable popularity.

Art and Culture Awards for Mayank Jain and Aswathy V. Nair
Two individuals will receive the Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in Art and Culture 2026.

The first award will be presented to Mr. Mayank Jain, Director of Route Stawk Films Pvt. Ltd. and producer of several feature films.

His recognised productions include Crimson Crescent — The Last Quarter, The Bangla Crescent — ISI, Madrasas and Infiltration and India Tomorrow — The Gujarat Miracle, along with a number of other acclaimed productions.

The second award in this category will be conferred upon Ms. Aswathy V. Nair, an eminent artist and accomplished exponent of Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi.

Her contributions and artistic excellence have been widely appreciated. She is also the daughter of the late Shri M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the distinguished literary figure who received the Jnanpith Award and Padma Vibhushan.

Social Service Awards for Gagan Kokri, Anu Susan Varughese and Dr. Bhagavan B. C.

Three individuals will receive the Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in Social Service, titled the Shri Dattopant Thengadi Seva Samman 2026.

The first recipient is Mr. Gagan Kokri, a renowned Punjabi singer, who is being recognised for his contribution to social service.

Beyond his musical achievements, Kokri has actively supported the education and development of Punjab’s youth. Through his efforts and influence, he continues to inspire young people to build a brighter future and contribute towards making Punjab a drug-free state.

The second recipient is Ms. Anu Susan Varughese, Headmistress of Government Higher Secondary School, Ala, Kerala. She is being honoured for her exemplary contribution to education and community development.

The Foundation highlighted her efforts in reviving the 90-year-old government higher secondary school, which was on the verge of closure due to a shortage of students and competition from private schools.

Her initiatives helped the institution survive and regain its competitive position. The innovative experiment introduced by her was recognised by NCERT in 2026 as a model at the national level.

Through her leadership, she has transformed a struggling government school into an inclusive and vibrant centre of learning. Her initiatives focus on foundational literacy, emotional well-being, practical skills and academic excellence.

By actively involving teachers, parents, alumni and community organisations, she has revitalised the school and established a replicable model of educational transformation. Her work is also recognised for inspiring social change and contributing to nation-building.

The third recipient in this category is Dr. Bhagavan B. C., Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. He is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

Through his dedicated efforts and collaboration with the DISHABODH Sustainable Community Development Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, he has helped mobilise thousands of young people to raise awareness about drug abuse and promote a drug-free society.

His work in youth engagement, public health awareness and social welfare has been recognised as an important contribution to nation-building.

Pravasi Bharatiya Awards for Rajendran Vellapalath and Benny Mathew
Two awards will be presented under the Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Award for Excellence in the Category of Pravasi Bharatiyas for Their Contribution to National Life 2026.

The first award will go to Mr. Rajendran Vellapalath, Founder and CEO of AirBooking.com and IndiaFirst.com, and Chairman of the Kerala Pravasi Association.

He is being recognised for his dedicated efforts towards protecting the welfare and rights of expatriate Indians.

Under his leadership, the Kerala Pravasi Association has expanded its presence across Kerala and actively advocated for overseas voting rights and affordable air travel between India and the Gulf.

His commitment to social welfare, diaspora empowerment and public service reflects his contribution to nation-building.

The second award in this category will be presented to Mr. Benny Mathew of Dubai, in recognition of his contributions to international business, entrepreneurship and economic development.

With more than three decades of professional experience, Mathew has played a significant role in strengthening business relations between international companies and the Middle East.

The Foundation has particularly recognised his contribution to establishing Mirka Middle East as a successful multi-million-dollar enterprise. His efforts in promoting cross-border trade, corporate excellence and international business cooperation have also contributed to enhancing India’s reputation on the global stage.

Foundation’s Social Welfare Initiative
The Foundation said 2026 marks the ninth year of its National Excellence Awards.

Alongside the awards programme, it provides a monthly pension of ₹2,000 to each of 51 families in Kerala who are victims of political violence.

The initiative, named Sarvamangalam, was launched on October 12, 2022, by Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, then Governor of Kerala, at a function in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Foundation said it was pleased and humbled to have selected the awardees from the entries received. It expressed hope that, in the coming years, it would be able to consider more individuals and institutions whose contributions could not be accommodated in the current year’s selection.

It also said it aims to build the reputation and credibility of the awards while promoting creative awareness and confidence in Indian society.

Award Ceremony on November 29 in New Delhi
The annual Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation National Excellence Award Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi.

Aadarneeya Shri Dattatreya Hosabale Ji, Sarkaryavah, RSS, will attend the ceremony as the Chief Guest.

His Holiness Swami Anandavanam Bharathi Ji Maharaj, Param Pujya Mahamandaleshwar, Sri Panch Dasnam Juna Akhada, has consented to attend as the Guest of Honour.

Shri Shripad Naik Ji, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, will also grace the occasion as a Guest of Honour.

The Foundation has invited guests to attend the ceremony and join the high tea at the NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi.

The announcement was issued from New Delhi on October 31, 2026, by Dr. R. Balashankar, Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation.