The Padma award committee 2013 is comprised of the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterjee, Cabinet Secretary Ajit K Seth, Union Home Secretary R K Singh, nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar and actor Ratna Pathak Shah.
“Actress and former chairperson of Censor Board Sharmila Tagore was chosen for the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order. She has been nominated by National School of Drama.” Dr. Ramanaidu Dugabati, former TDP MP and film producer, has been nominated for Padma Vibhushan, while Delhi-based photographer Dayanita Singh has been short-listed for Padma Shri. Eminent painter Jogen Chowdhury Bengal may receive the Padma Shri.
Vandana Luthra, the founder of beauty and slimming brand VLCC, , and fashion designer Ritu Kumar have been chosen for Padma Shri, an award for distinguished services. Sources said Vandana Luthra was nominated by congress leader Ambika Soni.
Abhilasha Singhvi, the managing trustee of Manav Seva Sannidhi, a humanitarian organization set up to help the disabled has been recommended for for the Padma Shri. She is the daughter of late LM Singhvi and the sister of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Abhilasha is a qualified lawyer engaged in social service and has supported over 50,000 destitute people through her NGO. Professor Yash Pal, who is a well known scientist and educator, has been nominated for Padma Vibhushan; he is already a receipent of the Padma Bhushan in 1976.
According to sources, among distinguished businessmen, Dhruv M Sawhney, Chairman and Managing Director of Triveni Engineers, has been short listed for the Padma Bhushan.From the PSUs, IFFCO boss Dr. US Awasthi has been picked for the Padma Bhushan. Sawhney, a former president of the CII, was also governor of Indian institute of Management Lucknow.
From the sports arena, Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has been picked up for Padma Bhushan while the world’s oldest marathon runner, Sardar Fauza Singh name has been shortlisted for Padma Shri. In medical profession Dr. In medical profession Dr. Ashok Seth, well known cardiologist has been shortlisted for Padma Bhushan.
Perhaps because of the constant media fire the government has been facing since the 2G scam broke, no journalist has been selected for any of the Padma awards. Sources said the main highlight of this year’s nomination is the fact that no one from politics, journalism and bureaucracy could make it to the padma list. “Most of the names shortlisted represent art culture, cinema and social sector only,” government sources pointed out.
The Sunday Standard