Jamir, Sangma, Rajasekharan receive Bharat Shiromani Awards

New Delhi, May 31 (UNI) Union Minister M V Rajasekharan, Goa Governor SC Jamir, former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma and National Human Rights Commission member Justice (retd) Shivraj V Patil were among the 30 eminent personalities who received the Bharat Shiromani Awards 2006.

Presenting the awards at a glittering ceremony last night, Haryana Governor A R Kidwai congratulated the Shiromani Institute for endeavouring to promote national development through the recognition of individuals striving to strengthen human values, norms of democracy and spirit of unity in their respective fields.

Addressing the receipents of the Awards, Mr Kidwai said caste discrimination needs to be eliminated if India wants to achieve its place in the globalised world through the proliferation of institutes of learning.

'' Our institutions can raise the standard of living and provide scope for development. However, the present success should not only revolve around technical education, but also on bio-dioversity and agriculture'', he said.

Also propounding his thoughts on India's economic vision was Mr Jamir.

''India is among the fastest growing economies of the world.

However, we have to ensure that the fruits of economic growth reach each and every citizen'', he said.

He added that education was the key to preparing the youth to win national and social challenges for their country in the outside world.

Mr Kidwai also gave away the awards to G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor, Delhi University, Pt Maniedeo Persad, High Commissioner of Trinidad&Tobago, Jagdish Khattar, Chairman, Maruti Ltd, Vinita Singhania, Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement, Chaitanya Kalbag, Editor-in-Chief, Hindustan Times, Dr VK Garg- Chairman, Power Finance Corporation, Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science and Environment, Prof Sukhadeo Thorat, Chairman, University Grants Commission, MS Bitta, Chairman, AIATF, Tarun Tahiliani, Fashion Designer, Uma Sharma, Kathak Dancer, Amaan&Ayaan Ali Khan, Sarod Players, Nafisa Ali Sodhi, Social Worker and many other revered names.

Governor Kidwai was also presented the award by Tarlochan Singh MP, former Chairman of the National Minority Commission.

Instituted in the year 1977 with the purpose of honouring men and women of Indian origin from across the world as a gesture of popular recognition of their outstanding achievements in their chosen fields, deserving personalities are chosen on the basis of their comparative merit, high caliber and commitment to national progress and human welfare.

Some of the past recipients of this prestigious award are Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Dr Girija Vyas, Sam Manekshaw, Lt Gen JS Arora, Justice AS Anand, Justice HR Khanna, Sunil Dutt, Hiteshwar Saikia, Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Bishan Singh Bedi, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Prem Bhatia, HK Dua, Mrinal Pandey, Russy Modi, Mulk Raj Anand, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Amzad Ali Khan, Asha Bhonsle, Shahnaz Hussain, Dr Naresh Trehan, E Sreedharan, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

UNI