Renowned archeologist KK Muhammed was conferred the Dr. Paduru Gururaj Bhat Memorial Award in a program held at the hall of Vidyodaya College, Udupi.

He had served as the Regional Director (North) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and had also served as the Project Archaeological Director in the Aga Khan Trust for Culture from 2013 to 2016.

K.K. Muhammad was part of the team which undertook the excavation of Babri Masjid in 1976. The team was then led by B. B. Lal. Muhammed strongly advocated the presence of a temple in Ayodhya.

Palimaru Matadhipathi Sri Vidyadhisha Tirtha Sripadaru blessed the program. Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat, Endowment Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, Mangaluru University former Vice-Chancellor Dr. K Byrappa, P Gururaj Bhat's wife Parvathamma, Foundation president Prof P. Sripati Tantri along with members and others were present.