Kochi: Manorama News, the television news channel owned by the Malayala Manorama group, and Kalyan Silks have bestowed the 'Newsmaker Award 2018' on the fisherpersons who rescued thousands of people from the flood-hit areas in Kerala in August 2018.

Film actor Prithviraj, who presented the award in Kochi on Wednesday, described the fisherpeople as 'Gods among men'.

Selfless fishermen from different parts of the state had voluntarily set out on rescue mission when Kerala was hit by the Century's worst floods last year. They risked their lives and sailed through the rampaging water to reach out to people in Chengannur, Kuttanad, Chalakudy, Mala, Kodungallur, Aluva and North Paravur, who had been starving for many days. Most of the fishermen were from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kannur, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.

Manorama News launched the Newsmaker Award in 2006. The selection was done through an opinion poll among the viewers. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) leader VS Achuthanandan, Oscar winner Rasool Pookkutty and actors Mohanlal and Maju Warrier were some of the previous winners. This is the first time the award has been given to a group of people.

Kalyan Silks Managing Director Prakash Pattabhiraman, MMTV Director Jayant Mammen Mathew were also present at the award ceremony.