SUNITHA KRISHNAN HONOURED WITH MATHRUBHUMI NATIONAL THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Mathrubhumi honoured social activist Sunitha Krishnan with its National Thought Leadership Award, commemorating M P Veerendra Kumar’s legacy. Recognised for her fight against human trafficking and advocacy for women’s empowerment, Krishnan urged society to confront child abuse as a collective crisis. The ceremony celebrated leadership, vision, and transformative social impact.

Kerala’s largest media group, Mathrubhumi, has launched the National Thought Leadership Awards to honour the enduring legacy of M P Veerendra Kumar, a visionary leader whose contributions to literature, politics, and public life continue to inspire generations. This year, the prestigious award was conferred upon renowned social activist Sunitha Krishnan, Co-founder of Prajwala, in recognition of her extraordinary work in advancing social justice, women’s empowerment, and the fight against human trafficking.  

The award ceremony, held in the presence of eminent dignitaries, was a moment of profound significance. Justice Chandru (Retd), Former Judge of the Madras High Court, presented the award to Krishnan, alongside Jairam Ramesh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Former Union Minister. The event was attended by leading figures from the Mathrubhumi Group, including M V Shreyams Kumar, Managing Director; P V Chandran, Chairman and Managing Editor; P V Nidhish, Joint Managing Editor; and Mayura Shreyams Kumar, Director of Digital Operations.  

Krishnan’s relentless efforts in rehabilitation, advocacy, and protection of vulnerable communities have transformed lives across India. Through Prajwala, she has spearheaded initiatives to rescue and rehabilitate victims of trafficking, while also campaigning for stronger laws and societal accountability. Her work has not only provided shelter and dignity to survivors but has also ignited national conversations around the urgent need to confront exploitation.  

In her acceptance speech, Krishnan expressed humility at receiving the honour and drew attention to the alarming global rise of the human trafficking industry, now valued at $150 billion. She highlighted the disturbing transition of child exploitation into digital spaces, where apps and online platforms provide anonymity to predators, making offenders harder to track. “Millions of children are being sold globally, with technology enabling predators to hide behind anonymity,” she warned, issuing a powerful appeal for society to stop being silent and to treat child abuse as a collective crisis rather than an isolated incident. Her words resonated deeply, underscoring the urgency of confronting exploitation in both physical and digital realms.  

M V Shreyams Kumar reflected on the award’s significance, noting that it embodies the ideals of M P Veerendra Kumar. “The legacy of M P Veerendra Kumar continues to inspire meaningful conversations around leadership, social commitment, and nation-building. This award reflects those enduring ideals. Sunitha Krishnan’s remarkable journey of courage and service makes her a deserving recipient,” he said.  

The commemorative event brought together leaders and thinkers from diverse fields, celebrating the values of vision, leadership, and social impact. By honouring Krishnan, Mathrubhumi has reinforced its commitment to recognising individuals who embody courage, compassion, and transformative leadership. The award not only commemorates Veerendra Kumar’s legacy but also amplifies voices like Krishnan’s, whose work challenges society to confront uncomfortable truths and strive for meaningful change.