Premji, Montek named for Padma Vibhushan

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji, Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahaluwalia, former diplomat Brajesh Mishra and Telugu thespian A Nageshwara Rao were today chosen for country's second highest civilian award--Padma Vibhushan--this year.

A sprinkling of eminent personalities from Bollywood, art, literary, sports, trade and industry and civil services were among the 128 persons chosen for this year's Padma awards announced on the eve of Republic Day.

The government made no announcement about Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who died yesterday, was the last awardee in this category in 2008.

Hindi film veterans Shashi Kapoor, Waheda Rehman, music composer Khayyam and playback singer S P Balasubramanyam were named among the Padma Bhushan awardees. Tabasum Hashmi Khan alias Tabu and Kajol were chosen in the Padma Shri category.

Former Attorney General and eminent jurist K Parasaran, art historian Kapila Vatsayan, India's first woman photographer Homai Vyarawalla, Malayalam writer O N V Kurup and Oriya literary personality Sitakant Mohapatra, late Gandhian L C Jain, former Governor A R Kidwai, Chairperson of 13th Finance Commission Vijay Kelkar, distinguished materials scientist P Rama Rao are the other personalities chosen for the Padma Vibhushan award.

In sports, those selected for Padma Shri awards were cricketer V V S Laxman, weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, wrestler Sushil Kumar, ace shooter Gangan Narang and discus thrower Krishna Poonia.