Arang Kala Sahitya Vedi, a Jeddah-based Indian cultural organization, presented its annual award to M. Ashraf, a senior journalist at Malayalam News, during a ceremony here recently. The award is aimed at recognizing talented Indian expatriate workers in the Gulf.

V. Omar, a senior executive of Arang, presented the award to Ashraf in the presence of prominent community leaders including Hassan Koya, news editor of Malayalam News, Ismail Maritheri, an English language lecturer at King Abdulaziz University, and C.K. Mohammed Najeeb, president of Thanima.

“We formed this organization several years ago in order to encourage media persons and writers and recognize their skills and works,” said Omar. He praised Ashraf for his humorous articles on Malayalee life in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries through his weekly column “Malbu.”

Ashraf thanked Arang for the award. “My articles are not aimed at just making people laugh but encourage them to change their lifestyle and attitude and lead a better life learning from their mistakes,” he said.

Skyway Cargo’s Managing Director V. Khaled presided over the function, which was opened by Hassan Koya. Storywriter Abu Iringattiri, Musafir, Maritheri, Najeeb, Abdul Shukoor Ali, P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Anil Narayana, Hamza Madari, P. Mayinkutty, T. Salim, Abdul Rahman Wandoor, Amir Cherucode and Moosa gave felicitations during the event.