KOCHI: It was a proud moment for Malayalis across the globe when the nation decided to confer Padma awards to 15 Malayalis, including ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair, Lt Gen (retd) Satish Nambiar and versatile actor Thilakan.
The list was announced on Saturday by the Union Government on the eve of the Republic Day.
G Madhavan Nair, who played a significant role in etching India’s name on the moon, will be conferred with Padma Vibhushan along with Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar, Dr Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, Sr Nirmala and Dr A S Ganguly.
Besides Thilakan, singer K P Udhayabhanu, Percussionist Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, Kathakali artist Vadakka Manalath Govindan alias Kalamandalam Gopi, Dr Govindan Vijayaraghavan and social worker K Viswanathan are among the others who will receive Padmashri award.
Lt Gen Satish Nambiar, known for his role in Lankan peace-keeping mission and for giving India a new strategic definition, will receive Padma Bhushan.
Other Malayalis who figure in the list include: V P Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan (duo), Prof Alappat Sreedhara Menon, Prof Thomas Kailath, Professor Leela Omchery, Sunny Varkey, Cheril Krishna Menon and R K Krishna Kumar.