Malayali Pratibha Awards presented

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) Noted Carnatic music exponent Leela Omcherry, senior mediaperson George Varghese (UNI) and Asianet chief of bureau Unni Balakrishnan have been awarded the Malayalee Pratibha Awards-2006.

The awards were presented by Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh at a function held at the Kerala House here last night.Instituted by Nammal Malayali news fortnightly, Malayali Sahitya Vedi and Human Development Service, the awards are given in recognition of the services and contributions of Malayalees in various fields.

Mr C Kesavan Kutty, Mr Cheruthazham Kunjirama Marar, Mr CCherian and Mr Binu Nanu were also presented with these awards. Mr Joseph Edamaruku (posthmous) was another recepient of the award. Ms Silbi Marijan, Principal, Kerala School, Mayur Vihar, received the award for the best Kerala school, while Ten students of the School were given gold medals for their meritorious performance.

Speaking on the occasion the Speaker called for safeguarding the interests of small language newspapers, who are playing a pivotal role in strengthening democracy. He urged the Union Government to enhance the advertisement support to such newspapers to 50 per cent from 25 per cent.

Recalling the constribution of C K Nair, who was known as the 'Delhi Gandhi', the Speaker said Keralites were rendering yeoman services in various sectors.

Prof Omcherry N N Pillai, Mr K Jayakumar, Mr K Madhavan Nair, Mr Kottarathil Narendran, Mr Pathiyoor Ravi, Mr Ajit Kumar and Mr Sasikumar Kandallur were among those who felicitated the award winners.

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