Talents from Various Fields Honoured with ‘Icon of Devbhoomi Award 2026’

SUNIL NEGI

Gadarpur: The ‘Icon of Devbhoomi Award 2026’ ceremony, organized at Ashoka Resort on Dineshpur Road, emerged as a grand confluence of talent recognition, social service, culture, education, healthcare, media, business, art, sports, and social awareness. Organized by Kumaon Kesari, the event honoured hundreds of individuals for their remarkable contributions in diverse fields. The most remarkable aspect of the program was bringing together renowned personalities from India and abroad on a single platform in the small town of Gadarpur to recognize individuals making positive contributions to society.

The event commenced in a dignified atmosphere with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Padma Shri Vaidya Balendu Prakash, social worker Lal Badshah, Yoga Guru Sohit Yogi, Yogacharya Pradeep Yogi, Swami Shivanand Ji Maharaj, actor Varun Suri, Merchant Navy Captain and CEO of Beautfort Marine Company Saurabh Saraswat, Municipal Chairman Manoj Gumbar, and Provincial Vice President of the Trade Board Ashok Chhabra. The auditorium echoed with applause as the ceremony began on an inspiring note.

Cultural performances captivated the audience throughout the event. The team of Vihaan Sanskriti Group presented a mesmerizing depiction of the Nanda Raj Jat Yatra, beautifully showcasing Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. The performance received immense appreciation from the audience. Meanwhile, the Dance Alley team added excitement to the ceremony with energetic dance performances on Punjabi songs, creating a lively atmosphere.

Pradeep Phutela, organizer of the event and editor of Kumaon Kesari, welcomed all guests, awardees, and attendees, stating, “The Icon of Devbhoomi Award is not just an award ceremony but a medium to salute those silently working with excellence in society and inspiring others through their deeds.” He emphasized that Kumaon Kesari would continue recognizing individuals contributing positively to society and providing a platform to unsung heroes from various fields.

Chief Guest Padma Shri Vaidya Balendu Prakash praised the event, saying that bringing national and international personalities together on one platform in a small town was not an easy task. He congratulated the Kumaon Kesari team for the successful organization and stressed the importance of health awareness. During his address, he elaborated on Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), emphasizing the need for people to be more health-conscious in today’s changing lifestyle.

Yoga Guru Sohit Yogi highlighted the importance of yoga, pranayama, and balanced nutrition in maintaining physical and mental well-being. Yogacharya Pradeep Yogi expressed concern over modern eating habits and increasing chemical use in food, urging people to prioritize clean, healthy, and sattvic home-cooked meals.

Social worker Lal Badshah shared his experiences in social service, saying that helping the needy brings unmatched satisfaction. He revealed that his team has distributed 2,000 blankets, 1,500 ration kits, 200 sacks of rice to flood victims in Tharali, organized weddings for 50 underprivileged couples, and arranged free treatment for 15 children.

Actor Varun Suri appreciated Kumaon Kesari for recognizing deserving individuals who are truly contributing to society and inspiring future generations. World Wildlife Nature Photographer Kamal Goswami stressed the importance of environmental conservation and preserving natural resources for future generations.

Merchant Navy Captain and CEO of Beautfort Marine Company, Saurabh Saraswat, discussed innovation in healthcare technology and introduced a mobile application developed by his company that can help save lives during emergencies by providing doctors instant access to medical records, blood group details, and disease history.

Senior journalist from Nepal, Raj Luitel, spoke about the evolving role of media, emphasizing that journalism today must not only report news but also guide society in a positive direction.

Municipal Chairman Manoj Gumbar praised the initiative, stating that such award ceremonies inspire individuals to contribute positively to society and motivate others to excel in their respective fields.

Swami Shivanand Ji Maharaj blessed all participants and encouraged them to adopt values of service, discipline, and positivity in life.

During the ceremony, outstanding individuals from fields such as women empowerment, modeling and film industry, bodybuilding, para sports, education, dance, anchoring, choreography, business, forest department, healthcare, social media influencing, journalism, and media were honoured with the ‘Icon of Devbhoomi Award 2026’.

The Alda Foundation was honoured for its contribution to women empowerment. In modeling and the film industry, Varun Suri, Rajkumar Khurana, Lucky Khan, Sandeep Duggal, Pradeep Sharma, Satpal Singh, Anuj Rastogi, Ramza Khan, Monica Chaudhary, Kirti Saxena, Deepanwita, Ramandeep Kaur, Ishika, Neeru Ghai, and Dheeraj Kuniyal were felicitated.

In sports, Hemchand Bhatt, Deepak Munjal, para throwball player Ajay Rawat, Rekha Mehta, and Tsering Choekyi were honoured. Distinguished personalities from Nepal, including senior journalist Raj Luitel, Tekraj Pandey, Apsana Nawa, and popular DJ Yuba, also received special recognition.

In the field of education, Dr. M.K. Sharma, Vandana Sharma, Deepali Sukhija, and Dr. S.K. Tripathi were honoured. From the arts and cultural sector, Dance Alley Director Sheena Thukral, anchor Priyanka Agrawal, choreographer Ayushi Sharma, and Nikita Kakkar received awards.

In business, Ashok Hudiya, Ashok Dhir, Ravi Sachdeva, Muni Bhoosri, Rajesh Agrawal, Kashmir Kamboj, Anil Narang, Gaurav Madan, Rajesh Chhibber, Rakesh Bhoosri, Arjun Thakkar, Lucky Bhoosri, Mandeep Singh, Rakesh Gumbar, and Ajay Chhabra were honoured. In the forest and social sectors, Sub-Inspector Sandeep Suntha, Councillor Sachin Gupta, Islam, and Akash Kochar received recognition. In healthcare, Dr. Anju Giri, Dr. Shashi Bala, ANM Shashibala, and Sarita Arya were felicitated.

For social media and digital influence, Sheetal Maurya, Vijay Maurya, and Yukti Saini were honoured. In media and journalism, Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari, Bhanu Prakash, Gopal Arora, Jaspal Dogra, Satish Batra, Vikas Taneja, Sagar Gaba, Surjeet Batra, Gaurav Batra, and Nishant Singhal received awards.

Participants widely appreciated Kumaon Kesari’s unique initiative, stating that such events generate positive energy in society and provide recognition and encouragement to deserving talents.