Bhai Mohan Singh, Premji to receive Padma awards

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji, chairman emeritus Ranbaxy Bhai Mohan Singh, actor Shahrukh Khan, film-maker Yash Chopra, Cricketer Anil Kumble, vice-chairperson of Hindustan Times Shobhana Bhartia and former National Security Adviser (late) JN Dixit are among a galaxy 96 personalities who have been chosen for this year's Padma awards.

Bhai Mohan Singh, in fact, is one of the 30 recipients of the Padma Vibhushan awards for trade and industry, while Bhartia and Premji have been awarded the Padma Shri. Dixit who was a key aide of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.

Shameen Dev Azad, Kashmiri singer and wife of Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, also received the nod for the Padma Shri.

Film maker Muzaffar Ali, singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, Malayala Manorama group chairman Mammen Mathew, head of the Centre for Science and Environment Sunita Narain, noted lawyer Indira Jaisingh and dancer Komala Varadan will all receive the Padma Shri.

Reflecting a regime change at the Centre, social activist Gladys Staines, wife of slain missionary Graham Staines, has also found a place in the Padma awards list.

President APJ Abdul Kalam approved names of nine people for this year's Padma Vibushan awards, which included famous cartoonist RK Laxman, Dixit, Attorney-General Milon Banerji, Karan Singh and noted social worker Mohan Dharia.

The other recipients of the Padma Vibushan included Bal Krishan Goyal and MVS Valiathan for medicine and Pandit Ram Narayan for his contribution in the field of arts in Maharashtra.

Those receiving the Padma Bhushan include playback singer Manna Dey, journalist Mark Tully, pro-Left historians Romila Thapar and Irfan Habib, reno-wned dental surgeon Anil Kohli, former J&K Governor GC Saxena, former J&K Chief Minister Syed Mir Qassim and noted cardiologist Tarlochan Singh Kler.

Cricketer Anil Kumble, who is India's highest test wicket-taker, Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, ace shuttler P Gopichand, who has won the All England Badminton Championship, and athlete GS Randhawa were among other sports personalities honoured with the Padma Shri.