Rajendra Rana, Santosh Yadav among 20 honoured

Chandigarh, Aug 20 (UNI) Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Rana, eminent mountaineer Santosh Yadav, cinematographer Mammohan Singh and veteran freedon fighter Ranbir Singh were among 20 people honoured with Rajiv Gandhi awards on the late Prime Minister's birth anniversary today.

The awards were given by the Rajiv Gandhi National Youth Development Organisation (RGNYDO) and Haryana Pradesh Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress to ''sons and daughters of Haryana who have excelled in diverse fields nationally and internationally.

Devi Dayal, the great grandson of 1857 martyr Mangal Pandey, was also honoured in the freedom fighter category. Devi Dayal's family had settled in Radaur in Yamunanagar district of Haryana.

In sports category, Suresh Kumar (Kabaddi), Mamta Kharab (Hockey), Seema Antil (Discus Throw) and Geetika Jakhar (Wrestling)were honoured.

Besides Ms Santosh Yadav in Adventure category Dr Kamal Vikku, first Indian woman to spend longest period of 16 months in Antartica, was also be awarded.

Agricultural scientist Jagdish Chand Katyal, vice-chancellor of Agriculture University Hisar, model agriculturist Kanwal Singh Chauhan, businessman Amit Goel, educationist Kamla Devi and War Heroes Col Hoshiar Singh and Maj Balwan Singh were also among recipients.

Among the other awardees were Mahila Sarpanch Asubi Khan of Mewat district, best Zila Parishad chairman Brij Lal, and Mr Vijay Garg who was IES topper in Electronics and Communications Engineering in 2006.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda urged the people to join hands to realise the dream of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in making India one of the developed countries.

The awards were presented by Chairman of All India Khet Mazdoor Congress Shamsher Singh Surjewala. Rajiv Gandhi National Youth Development Organisation convenor Randeep Singh Surjewala also spoke on the occasion.

UNI