Udaipur

The annual awards of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) continue one of India’s enduring traditions of honouring individuals whose work reflects service, courage and dedication to society.

Instituted in 1980 by Bhagwat Singh Mewar, the 75th custodian of the House of Mewar, the awards were conceived to recognise individuals who embody the values associated with the historic legacy of Mewar. Over the decades, the honours have grown into a respected platform celebrating contributions in areas such as culture, social service, governance, environmental stewardship and heritage preservation.

The MMCF Awards 2026 will be presented by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the 77th custodian of the House of Mewar. As chairman and managing trustee of the foundation, he has been involved in initiatives related to heritage conservation, youth development, education and community engagement.

According to the foundation, these initiatives aim to ensure that the values of service, responsibility and cultural continuity remain relevant for present and future generations.

Among this year’s honourees, Molly Emma Aitken will receive the Colonel James Tod Award, while Kamlesh Singh will be honoured with the Haldighati Award.

The Maharana Udai Singh Award will be presented to Marimuthu Yoganathan for his commitment to social service.

The Panna Dhai Award, recognising extraordinary courage and humanitarian spirit, will be conferred upon Pranav Chhabria, Tejas Chavan, Mohammad Taj Hayat, Catherine Varshney, Sushmita David, Deborah Tavares and Isha Jayakar.

Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe will be honoured with the Maharishi Harit Rashi Award.

The Maharana Mewar Award will be presented to Prithika Yashini and Bhuwanesh Jain. Tarun Kumar Dadhich will receive the Maharana Kumbha Award, while Ajay Rawat will be honoured with the Maharana Sajjan Singh Award.

In the field of music and cultural heritage, the Dagar Gharana Award will be presented to renowned flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia for his immense contribution to Indian classical music.

Other recognitions include the Rana Punja Award for Dimple Chandat, the Aravali Award for Avani Lekhara and Ram Ratan Jat, and a Special Award for Rajesh Vaishnav.

The ceremony will also recognise the Best Police Station of Rajasthan, acknowledging excellence in public service and community policing.

Alongside these honours, the foundation will celebrate young achievers through the Bhamashah Awards, Maharana Raj Singh Awards and Maharana Fateh Singh Awards, which recognise outstanding students and encourage academic excellence.

READ MORE: DySP Santosh Kumar's emotional reunion with Habib Mastar Sir

As preparations continue for the MMCF Awards 2026, the event is expected to highlight inspiring stories of dedication and service, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to honouring individuals whose work reflects the timeless values of courage, compassion and responsibility.