Renowned short story writer and novelist Akbar Kakkattil (62) passed away in Kozhikode, Kerala. A two-time winner of the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi award, Kakkattil was undergoing treatment for a lung-related ailment for over a week in the hospital. Kakkattil has been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past few months. He was the Vice-President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and member of Malayalam Advisory Panel of National Book Trust and Malayalam Advisory Board of Kerala Government.
- His works ‘School Diary’- an anthology of short essays and novel ‘Vadakkuninnoru Kudumba Vrithantham’ won him the Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards in 1992 and 2004 respectively.
- His work ‘Paadham 30’ is the first teacher service story in Malayalam.
- He was also honoured with Ankanam Sahitya award, SK Pottekad award, State television award for best story writer and Rajiv Gandhi peace foundation award among others.
Additional Info – Kerala
- Chief Minister – Oommen Chandy
- Governor – Former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam
- Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam-speaking regions.
- Malayalam is the most widely spoken and the official language of the state.
- Kerala has the lowest positive population growth rate in India; 3.44%, highest Human Development Index (HDI); 0.790 in 2011, the highest literacy rate; 93.91% in the 2011 census, the highest life expectancy; 77 years and the highest sex ratio; 1,084 women per 1000 men.
Know the Unknown about Kerala – Here