Dr M S Valiathan chosen for Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram

Renowned medical scientist and cardiac surgeon Dr M S Valiathan has been chosen for this year’s prestigious Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram, given by the State Government to honour the outstanding Keralite scientists.
The seven-member jury headed by Dr R Chidambaram, former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and currently chairman of Scientific Advisory Committee to the Centre, unanimously selected Dr Valiathan for the award in recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions in the field of medical science.The award carries a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and a sculpture designed by ace sculptor Kanai Kunhiraman, besides a citation.The prize will be presented to him by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy in January, 2014, informed Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) executive vice-president Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai.Dr Valiathan, a highly respected cardiac surgeon, is also credited for his contributions to the medical technology especially the implantation of heart valves in patients. An internally-acclaimed academician in the field of health sciences, he has been promoting research in basic science, based on cues from Ayurveda concepts and procedures.

Born at Mavelikkara in 1934, he got extensive training in the field of heart surgery at John Hopkins and George Town University Hospitals, USA, before moving to Kerala to head Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences which he raised to the level of a premier institution of national importance. After 20 years with Sree Chitra since 1974, he became the vice-chancellor of Manipal University.

A winner of several national and international awards, Dr Valiathan was honoured by the Government of India with Padma Vibhushan in 2005.

Dr E C G Sudharsan and Dr M Vijayan were the earlier recipients of this award, jointly instituted by the Kerala Department for Science and Technology and the KSCSTE.