TheTamil Nadugovernment on Wednesday decided to bestow veteran Communist leaderN Sankaraiah, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, with the recently constituted Thagaisal Thamizhar (Venerable Tamil) award.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister M K Stalin in which minister forIndustries, Official Language, Tamil culture and archeologyThangam Thennarasuand chief secretaryV Irai Anbualso participated.

Earlier, chief minister Stalin had ordered the institution of an award to honour those who worked for the Growth and betterment of Tamil Nadu and Tamils. Sankaraiah, who entered public life at a young age, went on to become a student leader, participated in the nations freedom struggle, got elected to the legislative assembly and worked for the growth of Tamil Nadu and the cause of Tamils, would be the first recipient of the award, a statement from the Tamil Nadu government said.