Delhi, 5 November (H.S.): The Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation on Wednesday announced the winners of the ‘8th National Excellence Awards 2025’.

These awards are presented annually to honor individuals who have made remarkable contributions in various fields across the country. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a memento, and a citation.

This year, Lij Matthew, Deputy Editor of The Indian Express, has been honored for excellence in journalism for her outstanding political reporting, impartial perspective, and impactful interview style.

In the science reporting category, Uzmi Athar, Chief Correspondent of PTI, will be awarded for her influential reporting on environment, climate change, and science and technology.

In the arts and culture category, Saghari Chhabra, writer and film director, will be recognized for her research-based work highlighting the untold stories and heroes of the freedom movement.

A special award in science reporting will be presented to Biju Pankaj, Associate Editor of Mathrubhumi News, Kerala, for his impactful documentaries on environmental conservation and deforestation.

V.S. Rajesh, Chief News Editor of Kerala Kaumudi, will receive an award for exposing irregularities in the medical sector. His investigative reports revealed collusion between hospitals and stent suppliers, which later prompted the Central Government to reduce stent prices.

The ‘Shri Dattopant Thengadi Seva Samman’ for social service will be conferred upon Acharya K.R. Manoj, founder of Arsha Vidya Samajam, and Ashish Gautam, president of Divya Prem Seva Mission, for their dedicated humanitarian work.

The Overseas Indian Excellence Award will be given to Pambavasan Nair, Chairman of Amad Group in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in recognition of his philanthropic initiatives and support for the underprivileged.

Foundation President and Managing Trustee R. Balashankar informed that this year, over a thousand entries were received from across the country, from which the winners were selected by an expert committee. The award ceremony will be held on November 29, 2025, at the NDMC Convention Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar