Rajasthani-Tamil Seva Awardees 2026
Payir Trust
Pioneer in Holistic Rural Transformation Category : Rural development
For over two decades, Payir Trust has been a catalyst and an enabler for holistic rural transformation in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, impacting more than 25,000 lives through its pioneering “Village as a Unit” development model. By delivering over two million health services, Payir has contributed to a 50% reduction in child malnutrition and adolescent anaemia, leading to a landmark district-wide nutrition partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Its ecological restoration of the Chettikulam Micro-Watershed reclaimed 20,000 acres of farmland and earned the Chief Minister’s Waterbody Conservator Award (2025). Through the integration of government schools, women-led livelihood initiatives, and community institutions, Payir Trust demonstrates a scalable, self-reliant rural development model that effectively bridges state policy with grassroots excellence.
B.Sargurunathan
Chief Othuvar & Custodian of Saivite Musical Heritage Category : Arts & Culture
Shri B. Sargurunathan, popularly known as Thiruvasaga Sennavalar, has served for 28 years as the Chief Othuvar of the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore. An ‘A’ Grade artist of All India Radio, he is a leading exponent of Tamil Saivite hymns and has played a vital role in revitalising the Panniru Thirumurai tradition. Renowned for his scholarly precision, devotional depth, and mastery of Pann (ragam), he has rendered over 25,000 hymns, many of which he has composed and tuned, making them widely accessible through digital platforms. In 2023, he led the devotional ensemble at the inauguration of India’s New Parliament Building, marking the reinstatement of the sacred Sengol. His service and legacy have been honoured with awards including the Kalaimamani, the Music Academy’s TTK Award, and Pannisai Perarignar.
Public Health Centre
An Enduring Legacy of Community-Driven Healthcare Category : Healthcare
Founded in 1953 by Gandhian social worker Shri M. C. Subrahmanyam, the Public Health Centre, West Mambalam, has been a cornerstone of Chennai’s healthcare ecosystem for over seven decades. From its humble beginnings in a thatched shed, it has grown into a 100-bed, NABH-accredited multi-specialty hospital guided by the principle of “service without exhibitionism.” A volunteer-led, philanthropy-supported institution, the Centre provides compassionate, accessible, and affordable care, including advanced cardiac services, dialysis, physiotherapy, and specialised support for children with special needs. The Public Health Centre stands as a living example of how community stewardship and ethical service can sustain high-quality healthcare across generations.
Dr.Sudha Seshayyan
Academic Leader, Physician, and Cultural Polymath Category : Public Service & Governance
Dr. Sudha Seshayyan is a distinguished physician and academic leader, widely respected for her service-first approach to public life. As former Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, she played a pivotal role in strengthening medical education and institutional governance. A renowned authority in Anatomy, her academic stature extends globally through her association with Gray’s Anatomy publications. Beyond medicine, she is among India’s most respected voices in spiritual and literary discourse, having authored over thirty books and served as publishing editor of the Tamil edition of the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Her contributions to healthcare, education, and culture have been recognised with honours including the Kalaimamani (2005), Best Doctor Award (2018), and the Devi Award.
Advocate K.R.Raja
Advocate, Reformer, and Social Architect Category : Social Welfare
Mr. K. R. Raja is a practising human rights lawyer and psychiatric social worker who has dedicated over a decade to rehabilitating “invisible” children—those born to crime victims and incarcerated parents. Through the Global Network for Equality (GNE)–India, he has empowered nearly ~1,000~ 600 children across 12 districts with education, mental health care, and restorative justice support. His work spans grassroots intervention and systemic reform, most notably through advocacy that led to the historic state-level approval of Sunday prison visits, safeguarding children’s right to family contact. A recipient of the Puthiya Thalaimurai Nambikkai Natchathiram Award (2025) and the CavinKare Ability Award, Mr. Raja’s work bridges the justice system with compassionate social welfare, breaking intergenerational cycles of crime and poverty.