Murthy,Kareena felicitated with 22nd Priyadarshini academy awards

Mumbai, Sep 19 (UNI) Infosys Technologies Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy and Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor were prominent among those to be felicitated with the 22nd Priyadarshini Academy awards here today.

The awards were given away by Union Trade and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Maharashtra Finance Minister and former union power minister Suresh Prabhu.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh could not attend the function because of the two-day cabinet meeting being held in Aurangabad.

The award winners were presented with a crystal trophy and a scroll of honour.

Mr Murthy said society has given him much more than he had given it. While Kareena said the award instituted in memory of the late Smita Patil made her nostalgic. ''Smita Patil was an actor of great honour and I dreamt of being an actress like her in my growing years. This award proves that dreams can come true'', she said before leaving the venue.

The other awardees are Chairman of Singapore Kindness Movement Noel Hon, Yamaha Motors President Toru Hasegawa, Dean of the Indian Institute of PLanning and Management Prof Arindam Chaudhari, former CMD of ONGC Subir Raha. Former Under Secretary General of United Nations Olara Otunnu received the Priyadarshini Academy Global Award for Outstanding contribution to Human rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Otunnu chose the platform to bring attention to the genocide in North Uganda.

Mr Raj Loomba received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Education of Children and Welfare of Poor Widows, While Dr B K Goyal received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Medicine.

Mr Jignesh Shah received the award for innovative entrepreneurship, Korea based Dr Unna Huh received the award for contribution to IT education. Former Sri Lanka, cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga could not attend the function to collect his award for Outstanding Contribution to sports.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kamal Nath said the private sector was driving the growth of India. ''Our own perception of ourselves is changing. We are looking for a better life not for our children and grandchildren but for ourselves as well. When the world looks at us.

It is looking at a young nation growing younger as time passes,'' he added.

Mr Patil also said India needs to grow at a rate of 12 per cent and not the projected 8.5 per cent.

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