Bengaluru, India, 16 September 2026: Dr. Pradeep Khanal, a Nepali spiritual ambassador, social activist and international cultural personality, was honoured with the prestigious “NPCECC Sir M. Visvesvaraya World Ozone International Envi Fest Award–2026” at a special programme held at the campus of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, on the occasion of World Ozone Day and Ayur Vatika–2026.

The award programme was organised by the National Pollution Control and Environment Conservation Committee (NPCECC) in collaboration with Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). The event brought together academicians, environmentalists, philanthropists, senior officials, social workers and distinguished personalities from India and abroad to discuss environmental protection, ozone conservation and contributions made by individuals in different fields.

The formal invitation issued to Dr. Pradeep Khanal on 16 July 2026, under reference NPCECC/Awd-let/WOD-INTL-001/2026-27, invited him as World Spiritual Ambassador, Nepal, to receive the award during the valedictory function of World Ozone Day and Ayur Vatika–2026.

Lamp Lighting Marks the Beginning of the Programme
The first session of the programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, and Dr. Pradeep Khanal was given the honour of participating in the inauguration. The lamp-lighting ceremony symbolised the beginning of the programme dedicated to environmental awareness, conservation and international cooperation.

During the first session, speakers highlighted the importance of the ozone layer for life on Earth and discussed the responsibilities of governments, institutions, scientists, environmentalists and citizens in protecting the atmosphere. The programme also emphasised the need to strengthen public awareness about pollution control, environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The event formed part of NPCECC’s wider activities associated with its environmental publication and awareness initiatives.

According to the invitation letter, NPCECC has completed 25 years of publication of its environmental magazine and has worked to create awareness among decision-makers, academics, environmentalists, educational institutions and the wider public regarding environmental pollution and conservation.

Special Recognition for Pradeep Khanal

The second session included the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities from India and other countries. Dr. Pradeep Khanal was seated in the front as a special award recipient, after which the dignitaries presented him with the award trophy.

Before the presentation, his achievements and international pilgrimage journey were read out to the audience. His extensive pilgrimage across different countries and religious traditions was particularly highlighted as an example of intercultural and interfaith engagement.

Khanal has undertaken an extensive pilgrimage journey covering 450 sacred and pilgrimage sites over a period of approximately one year across six countries and regions: Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Tibet (China).

His journey included places associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, and involved visits, worship, prayers and spiritual observances at numerous important pilgrimage centres.

His pilgrimage included Adi Shakti Peethas, Maha Shakti Peethas, Shakti Peethas, Siddha Peethas, the Char Dham, Sapta Puri, the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred rivers, lakes and kundas, as well as important pilgrimage destinations associated with Sikh, Buddhist and Jain traditions.

According to the profile presented at the programme, his journey included 4 Adi Shakti Peethas, 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, 52 Shakti Peethas, 108 Siddha Peethas, Char Dham, Sapta Puri, 12 Jyotirlingas and 23 sacred rivers, lakes and sarovars/kundas, in addition to 13 Sikh pilgrimage sites, 13 Buddhist pilgrimage sites and 7 Jain pilgrimage sites, along with many other historically and spiritually significant destinations.

A Journey Across Civilisations and Spiritual Traditions

Khanal’s pilgrimage has been presented as more than a conventional religious journey. It represents an effort to connect sacred traditions, cultures and communities across national borders.

His route covered major spiritual centres from the Himalayas to southern India and from South Asia to Tibet. His visits included important Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain pilgrimage destinations. The journey also brought attention to the historical and cultural connections that exist among the countries of the Indian subcontinent.

At the Bengaluru programme, speakers described Khanal’s extensive pilgrimage as an unusual and distinctive achievement.

His journey has also been associated with the legacy of great spiritual travellers such as Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya and Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Organisers and speakers highlighted the breadth of his pilgrimage across multiple religious traditions and countries.

Khanal has travelled to more than 30 countries and is described as having knowledge of around 10 languages, further contributing to his international cultural and spiritual engagement.

Contribution to Nepal–India Cultural Relations
Dr. Pradeep Khanal has also been involved in activities aimed at strengthening Nepal–India people-to-people and cultural relations. His work has included facilitating visits and interactions involving senior political, spiritual and religious personalities.

He has played a role in arranging visits of former political leaders and spiritual figures to important religious and cultural sites in Nepal and India. Through such activities, he has sought to promote religious tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people relations between the two neighbouring countries.

His approach has increasingly connected pilgrimage with cultural diplomacy and international friendship, using religious and heritage sites as platforms for communication and mutual understanding.

International Participation at the Bengaluru Event
The award programme also recognised personalities from different countries and Indian states. Among the international participants mentioned in connection with the programme were Brahmarishi Surrender Tiwari from the Netherlands, Kalyan Mahat from Bhutan and Sameera from Sri Lanka, alongside distinguished personalities and senior representatives from different parts of India.

Vice-Chancellors, senior officials, academicians, environmentalists and social personalities were also among those receiving recognition during the event.

The programme was chaired by Dr. Jagannath Chinnaswami, while Latha Rammarappa coordinated the event. Their leadership and coordination contributed to bringing together participants from environmental, academic, spiritual and social fields.

Recognition of a Distinctive International Journey

Receiving the NPCECC Sir M. Visvesvaraya World Ozone International Envi Fest Award–2026, Dr. Pradeep Khanal said the recognition was meaningful because it brought together two important areas—environmental responsibility and spiritual consciousness.

His pilgrimage experience has exposed him to sacred mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and other natural landscapes across several countries. The journey, therefore, also reinforced the connection between spirituality, nature and the responsibility of human beings to protect the environment.

The Bengaluru event thus became an occasion not only to recognise an individual achievement but also to highlight the broader relationship between spiritual heritage, cultural understanding, environmental awareness and international friendship.

Dr. Khanal’s 450-site pilgrimage across six countries stands as a significant chapter in his continuing efforts to explore and promote the shared spiritual and cultural heritage of South Asia. His recognition in Bengaluru has added another international dimension to that journey, bringing his work to the attention of an audience comprising environmentalists, academics, administrators and cultural and spiritual leaders.

The NPCECC Sir M. Visvesvaraya World Ozone International Envi Fest Award–2026 was therefore presented to Dr. Pradeep Khanal in recognition of his contribution and achievements, particularly his extensive international pilgrimage, cultural engagement and efforts connected with Nepal–India relations.

The event at VTU, Bengaluru, concluded with a renewed message that environmental protection, cultural heritage and spiritual values can work together in creating greater awareness and cooperation across societies and national boundaries.