DOHA: Renowned Indian poet and environmental activist Sugathakumari has been selected for the 15th Basheer Memorial Award instituted by Pravasi, a Doha-based socio-cultural organisation.

The award, consisting of a cash prize, a statuette designed by noted artist Namboothiri, and a citation, will be presented to Sugathakumari at a function to be held in Kochi in the southern Indian state of Kerala, in November 2009. Annual scholarships will be also awarded to six school students at the function.

The award committee, headed by prominent Indian writer M T Vasudevan Nair, observed that Sugathakumari was the first to raise her voice in India to protect Silent Valley in the Western Ghats when the virgin green patch faced destruction in the name of development.

Pravasi is an organisation of Keralites in Doha that organises film festivals and literary activities in Qatar.