Schoolteacher P.V. Padmanabhan, who is known for his studies on nests and nesting habits of different species of birds, has been selected for this year’s National Awards for teachers instituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Mr. Padmanabhan, social studies teacher at the Kunhimangalam Government Higher Secondary School, has received intimation from the Ministry informing him of his selection for the award. President Pranab Mukherjee will present the awards at a function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on September 5. Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs.25,000 and a silver medal.
The teacher, hailing from Athiyadam near Pariyaram here, has been a bird nest enthusiast over the past 18 years. He has authored four books — ‘Keralaththile Pakshikkoodukal’ (bird nests in Kerala), ‘Pakshikkood: Noothana Pravanathakal’ (bird nest: latest trends), ‘Red Book — Vamshanasham Neridunna Jaivavaividya Mekhala’ (Red Book — biodiversity region that faces extinction) and ‘Pakshikkood – Oru Patanam’ (bird nest — a study). While the first three books were published by the Kerala Bhasha Institute, the fourth one was brought out by DC Books.
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Mr. Padmanabhan earlier won the Sasthra Sahithya Award instituted by the Kerala Science, Technology and Environment Department, the Innovative Teacher Award by the Ajith Balakrishnan Foundation, and Mundassery Award (for his books) instituted by Directorate of Public Instruction.