Senior Journalist M.R. Manvi conferred with Bardoli Honour Award in Ankola

Ankola, Sept 9: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Senior journalist M.R. Manvi was conferred with the prestigious Bardoli Honour Award-2025 by the Ankola Taluk Working Journalists’ Union for his outstanding contributions spanning over three decades in journalism, education, and social service. The felicitation ceremony was held at Gokhale Centenary College, Ankola, on Monday.

The award was presented by Legislative Council member Ganapati Ulvekar, who in his address described journalists as the backbone of the nation. He underlined their critical role in drawing attention to social issues and enabling timely solutions, adding that journalism remains indispensable for the healthy growth of society.

Accepting the honour, Manvi, who is associated with Vartha Bharati, expressed gratitude to his colleagues and the wider journalism fraternity. “This award is not just a recognition of my work but a tribute to the collective efforts of all journalists. The pen is a divine gift, and it is our duty to use it for truth and for the betterment of society,” he said. Stressing that a journalist must act as the eyes, ears, and voice of the people, he added, “Exposing injustice, standing with the marginalized, and presenting verified truth is our foremost responsibility.”

Manvi also cautioned against the growing tendency to prioritize speed over accuracy in news reporting. “Truth should never be compromised for speed. Even if delayed, only truthful news safeguards society,” he remarked. He described the Bardoli Honour Award as a new responsibility and pledged to continue promoting journalism committed to justice, truth, and humanity.

In his inaugural remarks, Ankola Tahsildar Dr. Chikkappa Naik noted that journalism serves as the voice of the oppressed and praised the relentless efforts of journalists in highlighting and addressing social concerns despite various challenges.

The event was presided over by Arun Shetty, president of the Ankola Taluk Working Journalists’ Union. S.V. Vastrad, Principal of Gokhale Centenary College, and R.V. Keni, Administrative Officer of Canara Welfare Trust, also spoke on the occasion.

On the sidelines of the program, Manya Naik was felicitated for her achievement in the NEET medical entrance examination.

The program began with a welcome address by Vasudev Gunga. The award citation was read by Mohan Durgekar, while Subhash Karebail compered the proceedings. The vote of thanks was delivered by Nagaraj Jamblekar. Journalists including Raghu Kakarmat, Nagaraj Manjuguni, K. Ramesh, Akshay Naik, and Anup Gunga were also present.