Old video: Vellappally says Padma awards can be bought

Kozhikode: After the country announced the Padma Bhushan award for SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, an old video of him became viral on social media, where he makes remarks demeaning the prestigious honour granted to Indian citizens. In the video, he was giving an interview to The Indian Express, where he says that the Padma Bhushan has no value since it has become something that can be bought with money. He said even if he is offered it, he will never accept it, and added utter demeaning remarks in Malayalam against the award.

‘Does the Padma Bhushan have any value? Didn’t all of them become commodities that can be obtained by paying money? Even if it is offered to me, I won’t take it. Have you heard that I have received any award?...’ he asks the interviewer.

Meanwhile, after the Padma Bhushan was announced on the eve of Republic Day, Vellappally responded that he is not a fan of any awards but is happy to have received it. He dedicates the award given by the people as the country’s honour to the community members and the guru who transformed him.

He said that he learned about the honour via TV news. It was the community members who blessed and made him eligible for the Padma Bhushan award, which is an honour he never expected, he said.

According to him, organisations and institutions have approached him many times, telling him that they can get him an award or a doctorate, but he never gave in. He said that there is no joy or sorrow in this recognition by the central government, and only the unity of his community is the need of the hour.