Honouring Excellence: Zee Kannada News Yuvarathna Awards 2025 celebrates 50 Young Changemakers

Zee Kannada News, deeply rooted in the hearts of Kannadigas, successfully hosted its prestigious Yuvarathna Awards 2025 in Bengaluru. This landmark initiative celebrated and honoured 50 dynamic young achievers from across Karnataka, recognising their outstanding contributions in entrepreneurship, arts, sports, healthcare, agriculture, social service, and politics. With this event, Zee Kannada News reaffirmed its mission to spotlight the youth driving Karnataka’s growth and inspire more such stories of resilience and innovation.

The gala evening, marked by a sense of pride and promise, saw the presence of eminent dignitaries including Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, and Former Minister and MLC C.T. Ravi, alongside stalwarts from the Kannada film industry. In his keynote address, U.T. Khader commended the awardees and said, “Unity is the strength of our nation. By acknowledging these sincere, skilled, and committed youth from every corner of the state, Zee Kannada News inspires a movement of hope and harmony. Let us embrace unity, for God does not differentiate.” Ramalinga Reddy praised the platform’s efforts to showcase Karnataka’s diverse talents, encouraging the awardees to continue making impactful contributions. D.V. Sadananda Gowda reflected on the resilience required in today’s era, adding, “This act of honouring 50 achievers is like saluting all 7 crore Kannadigas.” C.T. Ravi inspired the audience with his words, “With achievers like you, Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is within reach. India’s rise as the fourth largest economy is proof that we are on the path to greatness.”

The 50 awardees honoured at Yuvarathna 2025 represented an inspiring cross-section of Karnataka’s vibrant spirit. Among them were Veerabhadra Achari K.M. (MD & CEO, Winners Paradise Group), Dr. B. Nagaraj, Deepu Gowda, Dr. R.S. Raju, Dr. Yuvasakthi Soori, C.M. Shabaz Khan (Founder & CEO, A1Star Power Plus), Rakesh M. Desharla, Dr. N. Narasimha Murthy, Ummadahalli Shivakumar, Sudhakar Kollur, Chandrappa (Founder & MD, Mother Earth Farmlands), H.N. Ravindra, K.N. Shivakumar, Kikkeri Suresh, Charith, Sukesh Konandur, Tirumalapura Raje Gowda, Bapu Saheb Naik, Dr. Lakshmi Devi, Master Shreyas Jaiprakash (Film Artist), Murthy N., Karuna Jain (Former Cricketer), V.R. Narayana Reddy, Dr. S. Manjunath, Nandeesh Gowdru, Abdul Matheen, Iqbal Kavoor, H.R. Suresh Gowda, K. Girish Gowda, Divya Ramachandra Shetty, Dr. Vinod, Siddana Gowda Turavihal, Manjunath Nagaraju, M.A. Karun, Mahesh D.G., Hemanth Raju, Mohammad Suhail (Founder, Iconic Fitness), Janadhwani Mahesh, Nagesh N., Dr. Vaishaali Shekhar Maane, R. Chandru, Akash Managuli (Famous Bhajan Singer), M. Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, Jyotipura Chandru, Pradeep Babu Nandaganv, Malatesh Muddajji, Dr. A.M.A. Suresh Kumar, Dr. Paramapujya Maheshwara Mahaswamiji, Santosh Kumar I. Patil, and Rudresh Kahale—each leaving a distinct mark in their respective domains and exemplifying the spirit of service and success.

Adding emotional depth to the evening were special guests who shared their heartfelt thoughts. Pushpa Arun Kumar, mother of Rocking Star Yash, expressed her delight in seeing young talents being recognised and passionately spoke about supporting farmers. Veteran actress Sudharani, deeply connected with Zee Kannada News, shared, “It’s rare and heartening to see recognition given to those working selflessly for society’s upliftment.” Though superstar Kichcha Sudeep couldn’t attend in person, his video message resonated warmly as he said, “Let your achievements inspire many more. Continue to dream big and give back.” Actors Ajay Rao, Yuvarajkumar, and Chikkanna also graced the stage, adding a touch of glamour and congratulating the achievers.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ravi S., Editor of Zee Kannada News, outlined the broader vision for the Yuvarathna Award, highlighting, “Each awardee is a beacon of hope for Karnataka. By bringing their stories to light, we aim to remind every Kannadiga that true change begins with ordinary people doing extraordinary work. At Zee Kannada News, it is our privilege to honour their journeys and to inspire many more across our beloved state.”

Echoing this commitment, Mr. Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), added, “At ZMCL, we believe journalism is not just about news but about nation-building. The Yuvarathna Awards exemplify how Zee Kannada News is creating a platform to celebrate stories of courage, determination, and hope. These 50 young leaders are Karnataka’s pride and India’s future. This is just the beginning—we will continue to amplify voices that are making a difference.”

With the Yuvarathna Awards 2025, Zee Kannada News has not only celebrated Karnataka’s young champions but also ignited a movement of recognition and inspiration that promises to empower generations to come.