Periyar International has announced that social activist and writer Vidya Bhushan Rawat will receive the prestigious Dr. K. Veeramani Social Justice Award 2025. The official announcement was made in the United States today by the Award Committee members Mr. S. Illangovan and Mr. Lakshman S. Tamil.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Rawat said, “I am humbled to receive this communication. It is a great personal honor to be recognized and acknowledged by the followers of Periyar internationally.”
The Dr. K. Veeramani Social Justice Award was instituted by Non-Resident Indian followers of Periyar E.V. Ramasami, the pioneering social reformer of India, to honor Dr. K. Veeramani, President of the Dravidar Kazhagam, for his lifelong contribution to advancing social equality and protecting human rights.
According to Periyar International, “The Award recognizes Dr. Veeramani’s lifelong contribution to advancing social equality, protecting human rights, and leading courageous battles against systems of oppression that deny justice and equality to marginalized people.”
The international honor is bestowed annually upon an individual or institution that has made a significant contribution to the cause of social justice. Former recipients include V.P. Singh, Sivaraj Kesri, Mayawati, M. Karunanidhi, Hanumantha Rao, and M.K. Stalin.
In their message, the Award Committee noted, “You have been chosen as the recipient of the K. Veeramani Social Justice Award for 2025 in recognition of your lifelong commitment to illuminating the struggles of marginalized communities and championing social justice, guided by the transformative ideals of Periyar, Ambedkar, and Phule. Your work has advanced human dignity, strengthened democratic values, and contributed to building a more equitable India, prepared to take its rightful place among leading nations of the world.”
The award ceremony will take place in Chennai on November 14, 2025.
This will be Vidya Bhushan Rawat’s third international honor, following recognitions by Humanist International (Norway, 2011) and the Ambedkar Association of North America (2017).
Reflecting on the honor, Mr. Rawat added, “I feel immensely satisfied by this acknowledgement from Ambedkarite, Periyarist, and Humanist circles worldwide. For me, this is a profound recognition of my silent work for the cause of social justice and human rights. Having read, seen, and interacted with Dr. Veeramani for over two decades, I feel deeply honored by this award.”
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