Chennai, Dec, 2025:
Rajasthani Association Tamilnadu organised its 16th Edition of “Rajasthan Ratna” and “Rajasthan Shree” Awards. The Chief Guest Honourable Justice Thiru M.Karpagavinayagam, Former Chief Justice, High Court of Jharkhand and Guest of Honour Thiru. P.S.Raman, Advocate General of Tamilnadu were present. These awards were in honour of outstanding service, leadership, integrity, and enduring contributions by Rajasthanis to society, public life, business, and social development.
At a formal event held at Lady Andal Auditorium in Chetpet, Chennai on Sunday, 21st December, 2025 at 11am, awards were conferred to 5 individuals under two award categories. This award is conducted once in every 2 years. It is 16th edition of awards, 1st edition was held 32 years ago.
Rajasthan Ratna Awardees 2025:
1. Shri Pyarelal Pitaliya – selfless service spanning four decades in the field of education, social upliftment, driven by deep compassion and unwavering commitment to humanity. He had established charitable maternity hospital which facilitates nearly 600 safe deliveries a month in his native village for the underprivileged.
2. Shri Dr.Sunil Shroff – internationally acclaimed urologist & renal transplant surgeon performed over 30,000 complex urological surgeries & kidney transplants, saving and transforming innumerable lives. He has shaped generations of medical professionals as Professor & Head of Urology and Renal Transplantation at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai.
Rajasthan Shree Awardees 2025:
1. Shri Kishore Kumar Jain – founder of Khazana Jewellery in 1989, opening its first branch in Sowcarpet, Chennai with a modest beginning of 25 employees and a turnover of Rs.50 Lakhs, he has built a global enterprise employing over 3,500 people with a turnover exceeding Rs.10,200 crores. Beyond business, he made impactful CSR initiatives with contributions amounting multiple crores to Govt of TN, AP and Telangana and Adyar Cancer Institute – building of a new patient block touching countless lives with compassion and hope.
2. Shri Praveen Tatia – a committed philanthropist and tireless organiser, Shri Tatia has been a visionary social leader with over three decades of service to strengthen community. As a member of the TN State Minorities Commission, holding the rank of Minister of State, he has played a pivotal role in advocating inclusive governance, minority welfare and social justice.
3. Shri Shiv Das Meena, IAS – born into a humble farming family in remote village of Tonk district, Rajasthan, his life journey is a testament to perseverance, merit and service. This Tamilnadu cadre IAS officer have held various positions as District Collector, MD of public sector undertakings, etc. As Chief Secretary of Tamilnadu, he steered the state administration with calm authority and strategic foresight. He successfully conducted the Global Investors’ Meet 2024 reinforcing investor confidence and economic growth in the state.
Speech delivered by the Chief Guests, Awardees and President of Rajasthani Association Tamilnadu
The Chief Guest Justice M.Karpagavinayagam, former Chief Justice, High Court of Jharkhand said in his speech:
“The awards given are not on the basis of their education, skill and talent. It is given based on how much service they have rendered to this community. Only when love and knowledge come together can make one a gentleman . Let us help others without hurting anyone and let us learn to live for others. The beauty of a human being is individual discipline. If we want to be 100 percent human, discipline is necessary. If we have it, we can score a hundred like cricketer Dhoni”
One of the Awardees and Former Chief Secretary, Govt of Tamilnadu Shiv Das Meena IAS (Retd) said:
“If Rajasthan is the birthplace that created my culture and values, then Tamil Nadu is the karma-bhoomi that gave me opportunities and nurtured me. There is a saying ‘जहां न पहुंचे बैलगाड़ी, वहां पहुंचेमारवाड़ी‘ (Jahaan na pahoonche bail gaadi, vahan pahoonchemarawari) that translates into ‘Where even a bullock cart cannot reach, a Marwari will reach’. Similarly, wherever we go, we will make an impact for the development of that land. We must earn the reputation and virtue that will accompany us when we leave this world.”
Narendra Srisrimal, President – Rajasthani Association Tamilnadu (RAJAT) said:
“This award is conducted once in every 2 years and this is the 16th edition of awards. Since the inception of ‘Rajasthani Ratna’ and ‘Rajasthani Shree’ Awards 32 years ago, recognising deserving Rajasthani people for their contribution to serve the society at large, through CSR and other social service. This year the jury received over 70 nominations and they have chosen the best 5 who are well deserved to receive the honours. This will continue to motivate the Rajasthani community and its members to do good to the society and encourages many more that it instils the habit of giving back to the society. I wholeheartedly congratulate the awardees.”
