HP govt to recommend Khali's name for Padam Shree

Shimla, May 24 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said his government will recommend Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as Khali, and marine Rakesh Sharma's name for Padam Shree award.

''The state government will recommend their names for Padam Shree for their contributions in respective fields,'' he told reporters here.

Mr Dhumal said while Khali had brought laurels to the state in wrestling, Mr Sharma had successfully scaled the Mount Everest and was the first Himachali to visit Antarctica.

Rana is a resident of Sirmaur district and Sharma hails from the Chief Minister's home district of Hamirpur.

He said the state government would identify and honour such people as they could emerge as a source of inspiration to the rest of the society.

UNI AS PS SY HS1624