Media baron and Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, M.P. Veerendra Kumar has been conferred the 30th Moortidevi Award for his "Haimavatha Bhoovi" about his experiences and reflections on a journey through the Himalayan region, it was announced on Friday.
The Bharatiya Jnanpith, which presents the annual literary award for a work which emphasises Indian philosophy and culture, made the announcement in New Delhi.
The travelogue had won the prestigious Vayalar Award 2008, given for the best literary work in Malayalam and also the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2010.
The 79-year-old Kumar is chairman and managing director of the Malayalam daily newspaper "Mathrubhumi" and was elected to the upper house of the parliament earlier this year.
He is also the president of the state unit of the Janata Dal-U, a part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front and was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha.
Speaking to the media at Kozhikode, a pleased Kumar said he never expected to get this award.
"I am happy that I have been nominated for this award, which I never expected," he said.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs four lakhs, a plaque, a statue of Saraswati, and a shawl and will be presented next year.
--IANS
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