'Kentucky Colonel' award for MK Stalin

DMK Treasurer and former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister MK Stalin has been selected for the "Kentucky Colonel" award, the highest honour accorded by the commonwealth of Kentucky state in USA, for his public service.

Kentucky State Governor Steven L Beshear's Secretary, Aide-De-Camp to the Governor of Commonwealth of Kentucky, George Reef, had sent an email to the DMK leader conveying the message, a statement from DMK said.

The governor praised Stalin saying he is the first politician from Tamil Nadu to be bestowed this honour as also becoming Kentucky's goodwill ambassador.

The award, instituted in 1812 by Kentucky State's first Governor Isaac Shelby would accord Stalin the rare honour of adding "Honourable" before his name, it said.

Former US Presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Ronald Reagan, Nobel Prize winner and former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, renowned boxing champion Mohammad Ali were among those honoured with this award, the statement added.