President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred Padma awards on 66 eminent personalities at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Noted scientist Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar received Padma Vibhushan while classical singer Begum Parveen Sultana, actor Kamal Hasan, sportsperson Pullela Gopichand were among those who were honoured with Padma Bhushan.
Padma Shri Awardees included sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik and actress Vidya Balan.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
