Monday, August 1 2005 18:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Magsaysay award winner and director of the Cancer Institute in Chennai, Dr V Shanta, today (Aug 1, 2005) said she was very pleased to have been selected for the prestigious award.

"It is something nice for me and for the institute", she told sources in Chennai.

Shanta, an eminent cancer specialist in the country, said the award would give the institute additional benefits and advantages.

"We always said that the institute and we are one", an elated Shanta said when her reaction was sought for being selected for the award.

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

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