The MKR Foundation began conferring the Karma Award in 2015, in an attempt to appreciate the sincere efforts of famed personalities actively involved in uplifting the society. Dinu Veyil, a young college student, was the first recipient of the award, for his attempts to raise awareness among the people regarding terminal illnesses, and mobilizing volunteer groups to support the young and old afflicted with such conditions. In 2016, Geetha Vazhchal, an Adivasi tribal leader won the award for being actively involved in protecting the indigenous tribes and the forest of Athirappilly. Kerala’s own “Metro Man” also known as Shri. E. Sreedharan received the award in 2017 for his exemplary dedication in transforming the public transport system in India during his years as the Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Dr. P. K. Warrier, who served as the Chief Physician and Managing Trustee of the Malayalees’ trusted Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala for five decades, was conferred the award in 2018 for being part of a century-old charitable institution which practices the ancient healing practices of Ayurveda. In 2019, Indian ecologist and academic Dr. Madhav Gadgil were unanimously chosen to be the awardee for his noteworthy and timely interventions in preserving India’s ecology and biodiversity, especially the Western Ghats, as chairman of the Gadgil Commission.