Thiruvananthapuram: Dr MV Pillai receives P Kesavadev award
Thiruvananthapuram: Writer, orator and renowned cancer specialist Dr M.V. Pillai on Wednesday received P.Kesavadev Literary Award for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam literature.
The award was given away at a function held here on the occasion of 15th edition of P Kesavadev awards instituted by P Kesavadev Trust.
P Kesavadev Daibscreen Kerala award for health education initiatives was given to Kerala Type I Diabetes Welfare Society for their exemplary work in creating awareness about the disease. A special award instituted this year went to former collector of Ernakulam K Mohammad Y Safarrullah for his initiative in implementing various programmes in health sector.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Pillai said the award was a big recognition for a person like him who left Kerala 42 years ago. He said one seventh of the Malayalees who live abroad play a major role in the horizontal growth of Malayalam language and literature. They are the advocates of this growth in other countries.
He suggested that from next year onwards an award may be instituted to recognize the contribution of NRK organisations towards literature and language. He donated Rs 50,000 prize money towards the proposed award.
Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan, former Mizoram governor Kummanam Rajashekharan, former minister Dr M K Muneer recollected the valuable contribution made by P Kesavadev to Malayalam literature and the society at large.
Dr Jothydev briefed the meeting about the progress of the museum being set up in memory of P Kesavadev. More than 50 per cent of the work has been completed.
Writer George Onakkoor presided over the function.