Honour for Veteran Communist Leader

Chennai, Jan 9 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has chosen Veteran Communist Leader R Nallakannu for the prestigious ''Dr Ambedkar Award'' for 2007 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the progress of Dalits in the state.

The State Government has been honouring those involving themselves in improving the standard of living of the Dalits with the award every year since 1998.

A high-level committee headed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi chose Mr Nallakannu for the honour, an official release here said.

The committee, which met here on January 9, selected the former CPI State Secretary as the best politician who had taken special interest in the progress of people of the state, especially the Scheduled Castes.

Mr Karunanidhi would present the award, comprising cash prize of Rs one lakh and a gold medal, to Mr Nallakannu at a function here on January 16.

The Chief Minister would also present Thiruvalluvar Award, Thanthai Periyar Award, Arignar Anna Award, Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Award, Mahakavi Bhrathiyar Award, Thamizhthendral Thiru Vi Ka Award, Paventher Bharathidasan Award and Muthathamizh Ki Aa Pa Viswanatham Award to the winners on the occasion.

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