Former Philippine President Magsaysay was an anti-communist. As an individual I was considered for the Magsaysay Award. Being a political leader, I consulted the party about accepting the award. I thanked the foundation for considering my name and then conveyed my decision to them," CPIM central committee member and former Kerala health minister KK Sailaja told the media on Sunday after Magsaysay was denied the award.
Recently, former Kerala Health Minister and prominent CPIM leader KK Sailaja was announced to be awarded the Magsaysay Award, known as Asia's Nobel Prize. KK Shailaja was considered for the 64th Magsaysay Award by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation due to his significant role in the fight against Covid-19 and Nipah virus.
KK Shailaja would have been the first politician to receive the award when he received the award. In this context, KK Shailaja said, I have not heard of any politician being given this honor before.
Incidentally, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, which honors the memory of the late President of the Philippines. This award is also considered as the Nobel Prize of Asia. This honor is given to individuals and organizations for their selfless contribution in various fields of society.
CPIM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said in this context in Delhi that Shailaja refused to accept the award, accepting the party's decision. The fight against the epidemic in Kerala was a collective fight under the state government. But the Magsaysay Foundation considered Shailaza as an individual for the award.
