21st P.Kesavadev Awards 2025
Prominent among the renaissance writers of Malayalam and a fearless social reformer, P. Kesavadev was a pioneer in modern Malayalam literature and an activist who envisioned a new humanity beyond caste, religion, and class barriers. Fondly called “Dev”, he transformed Malayalam fiction with groundbreaking works like Odayil Ninnu, which brought the struggles of ordinary people to the forefront of literature. In his honor, the P. Kesavadev Trust annually presents the P. Kesavadev Awards to individuals who embody his spirit of innovation, compassion, and excellence.
The P. Kesavadev Trust proudly announces the recipients of the 21st P. Kesavadev Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions in literature and public health education.
P.Kesavadev Literary Award 2025 to Dr. Shashi Tharoor
This year’s P. Kesavadev Literary Award honors the illustrious Dr. Shashi Tharoor for his outstanding literary contributions that explore India’s past and present with insight and critical analysis. A globally respected author, orator, and parliamentarian, Dr. Tharoor’s works such as “Inglorious Empire”, “Why I Am a Hindu”, “The Battle of Belonging”, and “Pax Indica” offer thoughtful reflections on colonialism, faith, identity, and India’s role in the modern world. His literary achievements reflect a rare blend of intellectual rigor, empathy, and the power of words to shape public discourse. Dr. Tharoor has received several prestigious honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award (2019) for An Era of Darkness and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. His ability to engage readers with complex ideas in accessible language continues to inspire generations.
P.Kesavadev Diabscreen Kerala Award to Dr. Banshi Saboo
The Diabscreen Kerala–Kesavadev Award recognizes Dr. Banshi Saboo, an eminent diabetologist and public health leader, for his lifelong commitment to improving diabetes awareness and care. As Chairman of Diacare–Diabetes Care and Hormone Clinic, Ahmedabad, and Chair of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for Southeast Asia, Dr. Saboo has spearheaded impactful initiatives such as Dr. Saboo’s initiatives include Project Kadam (Knowledge and Action-Based Diabetes Awareness Movement), IDEA Camps for empowering healthcare professionals, and the record-breaking RSSDI Defeat Diabetes campaign, which screened over 1.2 million people in a single day. Recognized globally, Dr. Saboo has been honored as Global Clinician of the Year by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) in 2024 and has authored numerous scientific papers and textbooks. His efforts have transformed diabetes care delivery, making it more accessible and patient centered.
The awards will be presented during the P. Kesavadev Memorial Ceremony on July 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM at Hotel Hilton, Thiruvananthapuram. The awards include a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-, a sculpted artwork by the renowned artist Shri B.D. Dathan, and a certificate of recognition, all of which will be presented during the award ceremony.
About P.Kesavadev
P. Kesavadev, the literary legend from the capital city of Kerala, Ananthapuri was born to Appu Pillai-Karthyayani Amma couple on July 21, 1904, at Kedamangalam, a small hamlet near North Paravur. Known by his literary double P.Kesavadev, he still lives in the minds of millions through his compendious, declamatory, pragmatic novels, dramas, short stories, films, autobiography and eloquent speeches. To his credit are the famous literary works Odayil Ninnu, Nadi, Bhrandalayam, Ethirppu (autobiography), Oru Sundariyude Athmakadha and the one that bagged the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, Ayalkar. P.Kesavadev was the pioneer among the Malayalam writers who employed new norms in the content and characterization of Malayalam fiction. Also, Kesavadev along with Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer are considered the upholders of the progressive Malayalam Literature. From the pen of this prolific writer flowed relentlessly, the multifarious vocabulary which portraits the living of ordinary people.
Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev, his only son realized that medicine is his perfect metier and is now an internationally renowned diabetologist and also the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centres, Kerala.
About P.Kesavadev Trust
P.Kesavadev Trust was formed in the year 2001 in the fond memory of the multi-faceted personality late P.Kesavadev. In the name of the soul who dedicated his life and writings to make the world listen to the voices of the necessitous, P.Kesavadev Trust is passionately involved in literary activities and charitable activities in the state of Kerala. As part of its charitable activities, P.Kesavadev Trust closely works with Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centres in supporting elderly patients, patients with diabetes and other economically challenged people with ailments.
Kesavadev Award Committee
Literary Award
Dr.George Onakkoor (Committee Chairperson)
Mrs. Seethalakshmi Dev
Shri. Vijayakrishnan
Shri. Deshamangalam Ramakrishnan
Mrs. Sunitha Jothydev
Health Education
Dr.Balagopal P .G, Committee Chairperson
Dr.Thomas Mathew
Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev
Dr.Arun Shankar
Ms.Gopika Krishnan
Dr.Krishnadev Jothydev
Faithfully,
Jothydev Kesavadev
Managing Trustee
P.Kesavadev Trust
Dr. George Onakoor
Committee Chairperson
Ph: 9896246200, 9895040055
