Premji, Brajesh, Montek and ANR named for Padma Vibhushan

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Wipro Chairman Azim Premji,Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek SinghAhaluwalia, former diplomat Brajesh Mishra and Telugu thespianA Nageshwara Rao were today chosen for country''s secondhighest civilian award--Padma Vibhushan--this year.

A sprinkling of eminent personalities from Bollywood,art, literary, sports, trade and industry and civil serviceswere among the 128 persons chosen for this year''s Padma awardsannounced on the eve of Republic Day.

Government made no announcement about Bharat Ratna, thecountry''s highest civilian award. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, whodied yesterday, was the last awardee in this category in 2008.

Hindi film veterans Shashi Kapoor, Waheda Rehman, musiccomposer Khayyam and playback singer S P Balasubramanyam werenamed among the Padma Bhushan awardees. Tabasum Hashmi Khanalias Tabu and Kajol were chosen in the Padma Shri category.

Former Attorney General and eminent jurist K Parasaran,art historian Kapila Vatsayan, India''s first womanphotographer Homai Vyarawalla, Malayalam writer O N V Kurupand Oriya literary personality Sitakant Mohapatra, lateGandhian L C Jain, former Governor A R Kidwai, Chairperson of13th Finance Commission Vijay Kelkar, distinguished materialsscientist P Rama Rao are the other personalities chosen forthe Padma Vibhushan award.

In sports, those selected for Padma Shri awards werecricketer V V S Laxman, weightlifter Kunjarani Devi, wrestlerSushil Kumar, ace shooter Gangan Narang and discus throwerKrishna Poonia. .