Thang-ta guru G Gourkishore Sharma selected for Padmashri

NEW DELHI, Jan 28 : Manipuri Thang-ta Guru Gurumayum Gourkishore Sharma was among 93 Padmashri awardees for the year 2009 which were announced on the eve of the Republic Day celebration. He was honoured with the National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1983 for his tireless contribution to the revival of Manipuri martial arts.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil approved the conferment of Padma Vibhushan to 10 eminent people while 30 have been selected for Padma Bhushan and 93 for Padmashri awards.

Olympic Gold medalist Abhinav Bindra who created history in the Beijing Olympic games, legendary ghazal singer Shamshad Begum, Indian Express Group Chief Editor Shekhar Gupta, noted economist and wife of Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia and Security expert Lt Gen (retd) Satish Nambiar are among those chosen for the Padma Bhushan.

Noted astrologer G Sivarama Krishna Murthy, Gujarati critic Ramanlal C Mehta, dancer husband and wife duo VP Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, artist VG Sathapati, civil servant SK Misra who brought Haryana on the tourist map of India, historian AS Menon, Tamil writer and essayist D Jayakanthan, historian Ramachandra Guha have also been selected for Padma Bhushan award.



Japanese Minoru Hara has been awarded for promoting investment in India while NRI Khalid Hameed has also been honoured. Bollywood hunk Akshay Kumar, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, yesteryears dancer and actor Helen Khan, noted playback singers Udit Narayan Singh and Kumar Shanu, ghazal singer Pinaj Masani and music director Hridyanath Mangeshkar have been selected for the Padma Shri.

Noted offspinner Harbhajan Singh alongwith Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and snookar player Pankaj Advani would also get Padmashri. Broadcaster Ameen Sayani, Chief Editor of Hindi daily Nai Duniya, Indore Abhay Chhajlani and editor of the paper`s Delhi edition Alok Mehta will also get the Padmashri.

Meanwhile, altogether 15 policemen of Manipur have also been selected for awards on the Republic Day.

While 11 senior police officials are selected for the Police Medal for Gallantry awards four are selected for the Police Medal for Meritorious Services awards.

Altogether 671 personnel have been awarded police medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year which has been announced today. President`s Police Medals for Distinguished Service have been awarded to 71, President`s Police Medals for Gallantry to 15 and Police Medals for Gallantry to 107 personnel. Police Medals for Meritorious Service have been awarded to 478 personnel.

Police Medal for Gallantry have been given to M Premkumar Singh Head Constable, P Lokendro Singh Constable, S. Robindro Singh Constable, Y. Kishorchand Meitei Inspector, Md. Tajuddin Khan Rifleman,T. Haridas Singh Rifleman, Md. Doulat Khan Rifleman, M. Sanjit Sharma Jamadar, Md. Shoukat Ali Head Constable, H. Guneshwar Singh Rifleman and K. Sashikumar Sharma Rifleman Police Medals for Meritorious Service have been given to Asem Shyamcharan Singh, Inspector, CID (SB), Md. Ghiyasuddin, Jamadar, 7th Indian Reserve Bn, Imphal, Aribam Gopeshor Sharma, Assistant Sub-Inspector, Imphal West District, and Koijam Muhindro Singh, Havildar, 2 IRB, Imphal.