The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Coimbatore hosted the Manithaneyam Award 2025 on Friday, recognizing 10 individuals for their outstanding contributions to social service.
The event marked 91 years since Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Coimbatore in 1934, when he stayed at industrialist G.D. Naidu’s residence in Podanur. The house has now been renovated and opened as the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in his honor.
Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar presented the awards, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individuals who embody Gandhian principles of simple living and high thinking. He expressed hope that such recognition would inspire more people to take up social service.
Honoring Selfless Contributions
The awardees were recognized for their dedicated efforts in various fields, including:
- Environmental conservation
- Education
- Elderly care
- Transgender activism
- Animal welfare
- Blood donation
- Food distribution for the underprivileged
One of the awardees, A. Loganathan, a daily wage laborer, has been supporting the education of underprivileged children for 25 years despite his modest earnings from cleaning public restrooms. “Education is the foundation of progress, and I do what I can to help children who cannot afford it,” he said.
N. Markandan, former Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram University, Dindigul, spoke about the enduring relevance of Gandhi’s ideals. He emphasized that Gandhi’s teachings would continue to promote peace and harmony and urged the younger generation to adopt mindful resource use for a sustainable future.
This event serves as a reminder of the power of selfless service and the impact of individuals who work tirelessly to uplift society.
