Violinist N Rajam to receive Padma Vibhushan today

Lucknow: Noted violinist N Rajam will receive the Padma Vibhushan -- country’s second highest civilian honour -- from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Ten more individuals from UP, who have contributed immensely in the field of arts, culture, music, medicine, among other important areas, will receive Padma Shri.

Rajam, 88, retired as a professor and dean of faculty of performing arts from Banaras Hindu University and is now settled in Thane district of Maharashtra. She was bestowed Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2004. Another faculty member from BHU and musician, Dr Mangala Kapoor, was awarded Padma Shri.

Chiranji Lal Yadav and Anil Rastogi will receive the Padma Shri in the arts category, while Kewal Krishan Thakral, Rajendra Prasad and Shyam Sundar have been chosen for Padma Shri for contributions to the field of medical science.

Leading agricultural scientist Ashok Kumar Singh’s efforts were also recognised in the field of science and engineering. Singh has successfully developed 25 varieties of rice and has also produced the technology through which the country’s first genome-edited rice was produced.

Chest physician Rajendra Prasad is known as father of pulmonary medicine in the country. Prasad has been credited with developing the first DOTS centre for tuberculosis patients.

Sundar was instrumental in developing the first oral drug that effectively battles kala azar and also prepared a kit through which rapid diagnosis of the disease could be carried out. Ayurveda doctor Kewal Krishan Thakral got Padma Shri as he could undertake surgery on patients suffering from fistula and also treat bronchial asthma through Ayurveda.

Archaeologist Buddha Rashmi Mani has been recognised for his work on important historical sites. The former director of the National Museum played a crucial role in the discovery of various items and objects from the Ram temple site in Ayodhya, Sarnath in Varanasi and 18 more places.

Swing bowler Pravin Kumar, too, made it on the list. Progressive farmer Raghupati Singh from Moradabad, who was known for innovation in organic farming, was conferred Padma Shri posthumously.

The awards were announced on the Republic Day.