Padma Awards: Centre rejected names of Mammootty, KS Chithra
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New Delhi: While considering worthy candidates for the Padma Awards this year, the Union government rejected most of the names, including Megastar Mammootty and ‘Nightingale of Kerala’ KS Chithra, proposed by the Kerala government, reports Malayalam news channel 24 News.
24 News says that Kerala’s recommended candidates list is in possession.
The Centre only considered late writer MT Vasudevan Nair for Padma Vibhushan and Olympian PR Sreejesh for Padma Bhushan from Kerala’s list.
Further, the names of Dr Jose Chacho Periapuram, actress cum dancer Shobana, footballer IM Vijayan and artist Omanakutty who were not listed by the state, were selected for the awards by the Centre.
Kerala had recommended Padma Shri to writer MK Sanu, Padmini Thomas, K Jayakumar IAS, and industrialist TS Kalyanaraman. They were among 20 candidates in the state’s recommendation list, and all of their names were rejected, 24 News reported.
On the eve of the 76th Republic Day of India, the Union government announced the Padma Awards. Kerala's legendary Malayalam writer, late MT Vasudevan Nair, has been posthumously conferred Padma Vibhushan. The literary Samrat, also known as Kerala Hemingway, departed on 25th December last year.
Further, five more Malayalis are to be conferred with Padma awards.
Centre announced Padma Vibhushan to seven people, Padma Bhushan to 19 people and Padma Shri to 113 people.