THRISSUR: Cultural Minister M A Baby announced the fellowships and puraskarams for overall contribution to Malayalam literature at a press conference here on Thursday.
Announcing the award, the Minister said that Prof M Achuthan and Dr Pudussery Ramachandran were selected for the fellowship for the year 2008. He said that the fellowship consist of Rs 50,000, gold pendant , citation, ponnada and plaque each.
He said that Acharya Narendrabhooshan, V Aravindakshan and B M Suhara have been selected for the puraskaram instituted by the Akademi for honouring persons who had contributed significantly to Malayalam literature.
He said that the puraskaram comprises Rs 20,000, ponnadai and plaque each. The Minister said that the fellowships and puraskarams would be presented at a function for which the date and time would be decided later.
To a query, the Minister said that the State Government has asked Kalamandalam Deemed University to conduct an inquiry into the allegation of malpractice by the principal of the institution while appearing for the English first paper Examination conducted by Kalamandalam.
He said that pending the inquiry, the charge of principal has been handed over to the Vice- Principal and if the allegation is found true, strict action would be taken.