Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 3: In a remarkable recognition of journalistic excellence, the Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangha, Maharashtra (KaPaSaMa) has announced its 2025 honours: D Umapathy of Chitradurga (currently based in Delhi) will receive the Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty Social Justice Journalism Award, while C G Manjula of Bengaluru has been selected for the esteemed Shri K T Venugopal-KaPaSaMa National Madhyamashree Award.
The awards were confirmed by KaPaSaMa’s executive committee, chaired by president Rons Bantwal, and finalised by the selection panel helmed by Dr Suneetha?M. Shetty, together with jury members Harish G. Poojari Kokkarne, Gopal Trasi, and the association’s honorary general secretary, S.?Daya. The Madhyamashree Award — which comes with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a certificate, and a memento — receives joint backing from the Venugopal family in memory of the late journalist K T Venugopal and KaPaSaMa.
D. Umapathy, renowned for his probing and often bold reporting on social justice matters, will receive the Social Justice Journalism Award, instituted by the Karnataka Government. Announced in the 2024–25 state budget to honour the legacy of senior journalist Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty, the award carries Rs 2 lac and a commemorative award.
Umapathy, born on March 18, 1959 in Chitradurga, earned his BA in English Literature and Journalism from Maharaja’s College, Mysuru, and ranked second in his Master’s in Journalism from the University of Mysorei. He has served for over 27 years as Delhi correspondent for Kannada Prabha, covering parliamentary proceedings, election analyses, river disputes adjudicated by the Supreme Court, national political developments, and diplomatic affairs. He is also the author of notable works like Delhi Nota and Padakusiye Nelavilla, and currently consults as editor for web portals Nyayapatha and Eedinai.
The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, September,7 at Lotus Hall, Solitary Corporate Park, Andheri East, Mumbai, presided over by Rons Bantwal and graced by notable dignitaries, as confirmed jointly by S?Daya and KaPaSaMa treasurer Vishwanath Poojari Niddody.