THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has recommended the name of M S Swaminathan for the Bharat Ratna award.
This is for the first time in the history of Kerala that the state government has recommended a person for the highest civilian award of the country.
Apart from this, the state government has recommended the names of 30 other eminent personalities for various Padma awards, which will be declared by the Central Government in January next year. Noted singer K J Yesudas has been recommended for Padma Vibhushan.
Swaminathan was instrumental in awarding the Kuttanad package for the state. The Rs 1,840-crore package is intended for the development and conservation of the entire Kuttanad region. Swaminathan has already received the Padmasree in 1967, Padma Bhushan in 1972 and Padma Vibhushan in 1989.
Yesudas, who has received Padmasree in 1975 and Padma Bhushan in 2002, has been recommended this time for Padma Vibhushuan for his contributions to the film and music industries.
Others recommended for Padma awards include Inforsys CEO S Gopalakrishnan, Marxist ideologue P Govinda Pillai and CIAL MD C G Krishnadas Nair.
Noted film director Shaji N Karun, eminent actors Madhu, KPAC Lalitha and Aranmula Ponnamma, writer George Onakkur, magician Gopinath Muthucad, Soorya Krishnamoorthy and footballer I M Vijayan also feature in the list.
From the trade and industry sector, M C Jacob, founder of Anna Aluminium Company and Kitex, has found a place in the list. Apart from him, cashew exporter-turnedfilmmaker R Ravindran Nair, (popularly known as General Pictures Ravi), has also been recommended for the Padma awards.
From the health sector, Dr Azad Moopen, chairman DM Health Care and MIMS, Dr Marthandan Pilla, chairman Ananthapuri Hospitals, Dr M I Sahadulla, chairman KIMS Hospital, and Dr Hareendran Nair, director, Pankajakasthuri Herbals India Private Ltd, have been recommended for the awards.