CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has chosen IUML president Professor KM Kader Mohideen (85) for the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award (Distinguished Tamil Award). Chief Minister M K Stalin will present the award during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. The award carries a cash prize of `10 lakh and a citation. An official release said the decision was taken at a meeting of the selection committee chaired by the chief minister at the secretariat on Friday. Since the institution of the award, it has been presented to CPM leader R Sankaraiah (2021), centenarian CPI leader R Nallakannu (2022), Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani (2023) and former TNCC president Kumari Ananthan (2024).
A veteran politician, academician and writer, Mohideen has been associated with various Tamil publications and is known for his contributions to communal harmony and social justice. He is the editor of Manichudar, a Tamil daily, and a close associate of former chief minister M Karunanidhi, an official release said.
Born on January 5, 1940, in Thirunallar in the erstwhile Pudukkottai district, Mohideen began writing for the Tamil weekly Marumalarchi, published from Tiruchy, as a school student. He joined Jamal Mohamed College in Tiruchy as a lecturer in history in 1965 and went on to serve as professor and head of the department until 1980.
He entered active politics inspired by late IUML leader Quaid-e-Millath Muhammad Ismail and joined the party in 1956. Over the decades, he held several key positions in the IUML, including student wing organiser and general secretary, before being elected as its national president. Mohideen also served as MP representing the Vellore Lok Sabha constituency from 2004 to 2009.
Mohideen has authored several books and composed hundreds of Tamil verses. He also edited Mubarak and Darul Quran, both Tamil fortnightlies that promoted themes of comparative religion, communal harmony, social peace and coexistence.