Kochi:
Well known Kerala Industrialist and Managing Director of V-Guard group Kochouseph Chittillapally, who donated one of his kidneys to a truck driver recently, has been chosen as Malayalama Manorama television channel's "News maker of the year 2011".
The announcement was made by a three-member jury, comprising well known film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, former minister Binoy Vishwam and entrepreneur Vimala Menon.
Chittillapally had hit the media headlines following his gesture of donating one of his kidneys.
Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, Industries minister P K Kunhalikutty and national best actor award winner Salim Kumar had made it to the final round. The winner was selected by the viewers through an online poll.
Long distance runner Preeja Sreedharan had been selected as the 2010 newsmaker.