News Flash Daily
23 February 
Senior Kannada actor Raghavendra Rajkumar receives an honorary doctorate from Florida-based Yoga Samskrutham University, and dedicates the honour to Raghavendra Swamiji
Mantralayam: Senior Kannada film actor Raghavendra Rajkumar was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate at the prestigious Guruvai Bhavotsava held in Mantralayam. The honorary degree was awarded by Yoga Samskrutham University, Florida, recognising his contribution to cinema and society.
Upon receiving the honour, Raghavendra Rajkumar expressed gratitude and said he dedicates the doctorate to Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, calling it a blessing rather than an achievement.
Honour Presented on an Auspicious Religious Platform
The Guruvai Bhavotsava programme witnessed the presence of several dignitaries who were honoured on the same stage. Raghavendra Rajkumar was felicitated with the honorary doctorate by Subudhendra Tirtha, the pontiff of the Mantralayam Peetha. On the occasion, he was also presented with the Raya Anugraha Award, adding spiritual significance to the honour. The actor attended the event along with his family members.
Actor Calls Doctorate a Divine Blessing
Addressing the gathering after receiving the honour, Raghavendra Rajkumar said the doctorate filled him with humility and responsibility rather than pride.
“Receiving a doctorate feels like a divine blessing. I dedicate this honour to the feet of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji. When I was born, my father was working on the film Mantralaya, and that is how I was named Raghavendra. That name has grown with me into Raghavendra Rajkumar,” he said.
He further stated that the honour made him introspective about his responsibilities toward society.
“This recognition brings fear and responsibility. I often wonder why I received it without achieving anything extraordinary. It has come through God’s grace and my parents’ blessings. From now on, I will focus more on social service and working closely with people,” he added.
Fans Create Commotion for Selfies
The event also saw emotional scenes as fans gathered in large numbers to take selfies with Yuva Rajkumar and Vinay Rajkumar. The crowd surged around them, leading to brief pushing and jostling near their vehicle. After patiently posing for selfies, both actors eventually departed.
Career Spanning Over Three Decades
Raghavendra Rajkumar, now 60 years old, has been active in the Kannada film industry since 1988. He has starred as a lead actor in several successful films and has also made a mark as a producer. After 2004, he took a prolonged break from acting that lasted nearly 15 years. In recent years, he has returned to cinema, appearing in supporting and character roles, earning appreciation from audiences once again.
