Former Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja bags prestigious European award
This report was first published in newindianexpress.com and has been posted here without any alterations or editing. To read the original report, CLICK HERE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Health Minister KK Shailaja has been chosen for the prestigious Central European University (CEU) Open Society Prize. She has been selected for the award in recognition of her commitment to public health services.
Open Society Prize, the highest civilian recognition by the university, is annually awarded to persons of exceptional distinction who serve the ideals of an open society. Past recipients of the award include eminent scientific philosopher Karl Popper, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Czech President and playwright Vaklav Howell and well-known economist Joseph Stiglitz. In 2020, Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexeyevich received the Open Society Prize.
The award was announced during the virtual convocation of the University in Vienna on Friday. "The Open Society Prize is awarded this year to an extraordinary public servant from the developing world. As minister of public health in the Indian state of Kerala during the Covid-19 pandemic, KK Shailaja Teacher and the dedicated staff of the public health service demonstrated to the world that determined leadership, community-based public health and effective communication can save lives.
Her example will inspire young women to enter public service, and Kerala's record in containing the epidemic gives hope to nations in the developing world. By awarding CEU's highest award to Shailaja Teacher, the university honours a public servant and female leader for her commitment to public health services, the bedrock of every open society," said CEU president Michael Ignatieff.
Responding to the award, KK Shailaja said she's honoured to be placed alongside distinguished people who have made an important contribution to an open society. Shailaja said the world is grappling with a crisis of unprecedented scale, and recalled how Kerala set up a system to fight the pandemic.
"When we decided a strategy for battling the pandemic in Kerala, we know that it had to be centred on securing the government's commitment and accountability to the people, as well as by working in synergy with the civil society. The state adopted an approach to systematically increase the capacity and resilience of the state's public health system to prepare for effectively responding to other crises in future too," she said.
She narrated how the state put in place a system to address the crisis, right when reports started coming about a potential virus spreading in Wuhan. Shailaja said world leaders should rise to global challenges and work out new constructive solutions to build an equitable society. "As you step out into the world, this is an opportunity for each one of you to change the world and write history. Find that leader in you," she said addressing the graduates who passed out from the University.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIADMK leader denies reports of Palaniswami's proposed meeting with TN Guv
Chennai (PTI): Senior AIADMK leader S Semmalai on Thursday ruled out that his party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami would be meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar amid the political uncertainty post Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
There were some reports that Palaniswami is likely to meet the governor to discuss the possibility of forming a government after providing support to TVK, which has 108 seats.
Denying the reports, Semmalai told reporters that "there is no such need". The AIADMK has not received any invitation from TVK, written or oral, seeking support to form government in the state, the former minister said.
To a question whether the AIADMK would support any invitation extended by the TVK, Semmalai said that decision will be taken by Palaniswami.
"Our leader will decide. He is not a king maker. He is the king", he added.
Vijay is making efforts to cobble up support to form his maiden government after his TVK emerged as the single largest party post the April 23 polls, the results of which were announced on Monday.
TVK won 108 seats, 10 short of the simple majority in the 234-member House to form government. The Congress, with five MLAs, has extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
