In India, awards and state honours are often given to recognise individuals who have made lasting contributions to education, social service, and public life. They serve as a way of highlighting achievements that benefit not only institutions but also wider communities. Karnataka has a long tradition of honouring educators and leaders who have strengthened the state’s role in advancing learning and public welfare, while national organisations have equally played a role in celebrating excellence across the country.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Mohan Manghnani has received several important recognitions over the past two decades. These honours reflect his long-standing involvement in education, his efforts to expand learning opportunities, and his role in promoting social development.
One of the earliest honours he received was the Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial National Parisara Rathna Award in 2000. This award recognised his contributions to education and his efforts in creating institutions that combined knowledge with responsibility towards society. Three years later, in 2003, he was again recognised with the Navaratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya Award, presented in acknowledgement of his work in strengthening the field of education in Karnataka. Both awards are named after Sir M. Visvesvaraya, one of India’s most respected engineers and statesmen, and are given to individuals who embody his ideals of development and service.
At the state level, Dr. Mohan Manghnani received the Kannada Rajyotsava Award in 2012 from the Government of Karnataka. It is one of the highest civilian rewards of the state and is given on November 1st each year. Karnataka Rajyotsava Day celebrates individuals who have been exceptional contributors in different areas. Dr. Manghnani was recognised for his contributions to education and to the advancement of social policies in the state. His work has also been acknowledged in the academic sphere.
In 2014, Gulbarga University, under the Government of Karnataka, conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate. This honour formally recognised his impact on higher education and his service to society, placing him among a select group of leaders who have been honoured for their vision and leadership in the field of education.
More recently, at the national level, Dr. Mohan Manghnani received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Education Today in 2023. The award was presented in recognition of his long career in shaping educational institutions and his consistent efforts to combine academic excellence with holistic development.
Together, these honours illustrate the recognition that Dr. Mohan Manghnani has received for his work at both state and national levels. They reflect a career that has spanned over five decades and highlight the role of individual leadership in advancing the goals of education and social service in India.
