Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100855301300.htm

National

Award for M.S. Swaminathan

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noted agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan has been selected for the Sree Chithira Thirunal Award 2008. The Sree Chithira Thirunal Trust gives away this annual award to eminent Malayalees who have made their mark in science and technology, public service, education, arts and literature.

The award — which carries a prize of Rs.1 lakh and a citation — was announced here on Tuesday by the chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Commission, D. Sreedevi.

Ms. Sreedevi chaired the award committee. The former Chief Secretary, M. Vijayanunni, and Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar were members. The first Sree Chithira Thirunal award, in 2006, went to ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair. In 2007 the award went to National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan.

“Dr. Swaminathan has been informed that he has been selected for the award and he joyfully agreed to accept it,” said Ms. Sreedevi. The award will be given away at a ceremony here in November.