Prof KS Manilal, Ali Manikfan presented with Padma Shri

Kochi: Prof KS

Manilal

and Ali

Manikfan

were presented the Padmashri awards by Kozhikode district collector

Tej Lohit

Reddy on Thursday. Both winners couldn’t attend the award ceremony in Delhi and hence Reddy presented the awards at their respective residences, the district administration said in a statement. ADM

Muhammad Rafeek

also attended the presentation ceremony on Thursday.Manilal is known for translating Hortus Malabaricus from Latin to English and

Malayalam

. Hortus Malabaricus, the monumental 17th century treatise on the medico-botanical plant wealth of Kerala, was published in 12 volumes. It took Manilal 35 years to translate, during which he learned Latin and almost spent his entire life savings on numerous foreign visits. He was a Botany professor at Calicut University. He completed his graduation from Ernakulam Maharaja’s College and did his masters and PhD from Sagar University. Manikfan is known for his scientific and naval research. He has no formal educational qualifications but has deep knowledge in 14 languages. He is also known for his contribution to the Lunar calendar system and has written articles for unified Ramzan celebration. He has worked with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute of India. TNN