Dr V Shanta, director of the Adyar Cancer Insitute, Chennai, is the among the winners of this year's Magsaysay Award, the Manila, Philippines-based award foundation announced today.

Shanta has been chosen for her 'untiring leadership of the Cancer Institute as a centre of excellence and compassion for the study and treatment of cancer in India', the foundation said.

Contacted in Chennai, Dr Shanta said, "It's something nice for me and the Institute."

Shanta, an eminent cancer specialist in the country, said the award would give the institute additional benefits and
advantages. "We always said the institute and we are one," she said.

Helping fight the Big C

Asked what she intended to do with the prize money, Shanta said she has not yet given it a thought.

Shanta is the second woman from Chennai to be selected for the international award, the first being renowned Carnatic
vocalist, the late M S Subbulakshmi.

Among other notable Indian winners are super cop Kiran Bedi [Images] and social activist Rajendra Singh.

Others who won this year's award are Teten Masduki of Indonesia Corruption Watch; Senator Jon Ungphakorn from Thailand; and Bangladeshi journalist Matiur Rahman.