President presents Padma awards

President Pratibha Patil on Thursday presented the first set of the Padma awards for the current year to 61 recipients, including Malayalam poet-lyricist O.N.V. Kurup, Tamil-Malayalam actor Jayaram yesteryear actor Waheeda Rahman, singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and music composer Khayyam.At the first investiture ceremony held at the majestic Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, 15 Padma Bhushan and 42 Padma Shri awardees were also conferred their awards. The function was attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, several Union Ministers and a host of dignitaries. The government had announced a list of 128 Padma awards winners, 13 Padma Vibhushan, 31 Padma Bhushan and 84 Padma Shri on the eve of the Republic Day in January.

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