Eminent Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair (left) presenting the Bashir award, instituted by the socio-cultural organisation Pravasi Doha, to senior oncologist and social worker Dr V P  Gangadharan, at a function held at the Changampuzha Cultural Centre, Edappally, near Kochi in Kerala. Also seen are K Balachandran, chairman of Changampuzha Cultural centre, and Babu Mather, managing trustee, Pravasi Trust.

The Bashir award, instituted by the Doha-based socio-cultural organisation Pravasi Doha, has been presented to senior oncologist, cancer research scholar and social worker Dr V P  Gangadharan by the chief patron of Pravasi Trust and writer and film  director M T Vasudevan Nair at a function held at the Changampuzha Cultural Centre, Edappally, near Kochi.
This was the 21st edition of Bashir Award being presented to outstanding personalities in various fields every year in memory of Malayalam writer, the late Vaikkom Mohammed Bashir.
“In this era of commercialisation in health service and education, Dr V P Gangadharan carved a niche for himself and has set an example to other oncologists and doctors in Kerala through his dedicated service and commitment to  the medical profession,” M T, as Vasudevan Nair is called, said.
Former recipients of the prestigious award include former Kerala chief minister E M Sankaran Namboodirippad, musician Njeralath Ramapoduval, actors Madhu, Balan K Nair, writers Kovilan, VKN, poets Sugatha Kumari, Kadammanitta, critics Dr M Leelavathi, Prof M K Sanoo, Dr U R Anantha Murthi, architect Laurie Baker and writer in English language Dr Ronad E Asher.
Dr Gangadharan said he was inspired by the philosophies of Bashir, who wrote about the miseries and poverty of poor people in his inimitable but powerful style, and promised that he would continue his service to alleviate the sufferings of poor patients, particularly the cancer patients.
Dr K S Ravikumar, head of the Malayalam Department, Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady, delivered the Bashir memorial lecture.
Anees Bashir, son of writer Bashir, script writer John Paul, K Balachandran, Tony Alappat, a former Doha resident, Sahadiyah Abdul Latheef, recipient of this year’s Prof M N Vijayan Memorial endowment award being given by Pravasi Doha to financially backward students who excel in studies, Mohammed Mannil, a Doha-based businessman and P A Mubarak, general secretary, Pravasi Doha also spoke on the occasion.
Mannil announced that he would donate the fund required for the M N Vijayan educational endowment award every year to Pravasi Doha and Pravasi Trust to be presented to deserving students.
Dr Gangadharan is expected to visit Doha soon.