PADMA AWARDS 2014 - LIST - CONGRATS TO ALL SELECTED PERSONS

PADMA AWARDS -2014

Following is the list of the 127 awardees of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri which were announced on the eve of the 65th Republic day. 

Padma Vibhushan

 

Dr Raghunath A Mashelkar, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

B K S Iyengar, Yoga, Maharashtra 

Padma Bhushan

 

Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, Art-Painting, Gujarat

Begum Parveen Sultana, Art-Classical Singing, Maharashtra

T.H. Vinayakram, Art-Ghatam Artist, Tamil Nadu

Kamal Haasan, Art-Cinema, Tamil Nadu

Justice Dalveer Bhandari, Public Affairs, Delhi

Prof Padmanabhan Balaram, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Prof Jyeshtharaj Joshi, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Dr Madappa Mahadevappa, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Dr Thirumalachari Ramasami, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Dr Vinod Prakash Sharma, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Dr Radhakrishnan Koppillil, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Dr Mrityunjay Athreya, Literature and Education, Delhi

Anita Desai, Literature and Education, Delhi

Dr Dhirubhai Thaker, Literature and Education, Gujarat

Vairamuthu, Literature and Education, Tamil Nadu.

Ruskin Bond, Literature and Education, Uttarakhand

Pullela Gopichand, Sports-Badminton, Andhra Pradesh

Leander Paes, Sports-Tennis, Maharashtra

Vijayendra Nath Kaul, Civil Service, Delhi

Late Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma, Public Affairs, Uttar Pradesh

Late Dr Anumolu Ramakrishna, Science and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

Prof Anisuzzaman, Literature and Education, Bangladesh

Prof Lloyd I Rudolph, Literature and Education, USA

Prof Susanne H Rudolph, Literature and Education, USA

Dr (Smt) Neelam Kler, Medicine-Neonatology, Delhi

Padma Shri

 

Mohammad Ali Baig, Art-Theatre, Andhra Pradesh

Nayana Apte Joshi, Art, Maharashtra

Musafir Ram Bhardwaj, Art-Instrumental Music-Pauna Manjha, Himachal Pradesh

Sabitri Chatterjee, Art-Film, West Bengal

Prof Biman Bihari Das, Art-Sculptor, Delhi

Sunil Das, Art-Painting, West Bengal

Elam Endira Devi, Art-Manipuri Dance, Manipur

Vijay Ghate, Art-Instrumental Music-Tabla, Maharashtra

Rani Karnaa, Art-Kathak, West Bengal

Bansi Kaul, Art-Theatre, Jammu and Kashmir

Ustad Moinuddin Khan, Art-Instrumental Music-Sarangi Player, Rajasthan

Geeta Mahalik, Art-Odishi Dance, Delhi

Paresh Maity, Art-Painting, Delhi

Ram Mohan, Art-Film Animation, Maharashtra

Sudarsan Pattnaik, Art-Sand artist, Odisha

Paresh Rawal, Art-Cinema and Theatre, Maharashtra

Wendell Augustine Rodricks, Art-Fashion Designing, Goa

Prof Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, Art-Mohini Attam, Kerala

Shri Anuj (Ramanuj) Sharma, Art-Performing Art. Chhattisgarh

Santosh Sivan, Art-Film, Tamil Nadu

Supriya Dev, Art-Bengali Cinema, West Bengal

Sooni Taraporevala Art-Script Writing Maharashtra

Vidya Balan, Art-Cinema, Maharashtra

Durga Jain, Social Work, Maharashtra

Dr Rama Rao Anumolu, Social Work, Andhra Pradesh

Dr Brahm Dutt, Social Work, Haryana

Mukul Chandra Goswami, Social Work, Assam

J L Kaul, Social Work, Delhi

Mathurbhai Madhabhai Savani, Social Work, Gujarat

Tashi Tondup, Public Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir

Dr Hasmukh Chamanlal Shah, Public Affairs, Gujarat

Sekhar Basu, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Madhavan Chandradathan, Science and Engineering, Kerala.

Sushanta Kumar Dattagupta, Science and Engineering, West Bengal

Dr Ravi Bhushan Grover, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Prof Eluvathingal Devassy Jemmis, Science and Engineering, Karnataka

Ramkrishna V HosuR, Science and Engineering, Maharashtra

Dr Ajay Kumar Parida, Science and Engineering, Tamil Nadu

Dr Malapaka Yajneswara Satyanarayana Prasad, Science and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

Kiran Kumar Alur Seelin, Science and Engineering, Gujarat

Dr Brahma Singh, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Prof Vinod Kumar Singh, Science and Engineering, Madhya Pradesh

Dr Govindan Sundararajan, Science and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

Ramaswamy R Iyer, Science and Engineering, Delhi

Dr Jayanta Kumar Ghosh, Science and Engineering, West Bengal

Ravi Kumar NarrA, Trade and Industry, Andhra Pradesh

Rajesh Saraiya, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra

Mallika Srinivasan, Trade and Industry, Tamil Nadu

Pratap Govindrao Pawar, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra

Dr Kiritkumar Mansukhlal Acharya, Medicine-Dermatology, Gujarat

Dr Balram Bhargava, Medicine-Cardiology, Uttar Pradesh

Prof (Dr) Indra Chakravarty, Medicine-Health and Hygiene, West Bengal

Dr Ramakant Krishnaji Deshpande, Medicine-Oncology, Maharashtra

Prof (Dr) Pawan Raj Goyal, Medicine-Chest Disease, Haryana

Prof Amod Gupta, Medicine-Opthalmology, Haryana

Prof (Dr) Daya Kishore Hazra, Medicine, Uttar Pradesh

Prof (Dr) Thenumgal Poulose Jacob, Medicine-Vascular Surgery, Tamil Nadu

Prof (Dr) Shashank R Joshi, Medicine-Endocrinology, Maharashtra

Prof Hakim Syed Khaleefathullah, Medicine-Unani Medicine, Tamil Nadu

Dr Milind Vasant Kirtane, Medicine-ENT Surgery, Maharashtra

Dr Lalit Kumar, Medicine-Oncology, Delhi

Dr Mohan Mishra, Medicine, Bihar

Dr M Subhadra Nair, Medicine-Gyneacology, Kerala

Dr Ashok Panagariya, Medicine-Neurology, Rajasthan

Dr Narendra Kumar Pandey, Medicine-Surgery, Haryana

Dr Sunil Pradhan, Medicine-Neurology, Uttar Pradesh

Dr Ashok Rajgopal, Medicine-Orthopaedics, Delhi

Dr Kamini A Rao, Medicine-Reproductive Medicine, Karnataka

Dr Sarbeswar Sahariah, Medicine-Surgery, Andhra Pradesh

Prof Om Prakash Upadhyaya, Medicine, Punjab

Prof (Dr) Mahesh Verma, Medicine-Dental Science, Delhi

Dr J S Titiyal, Medicine-Opthalmology, Delhi

Dr Nitish Naik, Medicine-Cardiology, Delhi

Dr Surbrat Kumar Acharya, Medicine-Gastroentrology, Delhi

Dr Rajesh Kumar Grover, Medicine-Oncology, Delhi

Dr Naheed Abidi, Literature and Education, Uttar Pradesh

Prof Ashok Chakradhar, Literature and Education, Delhi

Chhakchhuak Chhuanvawra, Literature and Education, Mizoram

Keki N Daruwalla, Literature and Education, Delhi

Prof Ganesh Narayandas Devi, Literature and Education, Gujarat

Prof Kolakaluri Enoch, Literature and Education, Andhra Pradesh

Prof (Dr) Ved Kumari Ghai, Literature and Education, Jammu and Kashmir

Smt Manorama Jafa, Literature and Education, Delhi

Prof Rehana Khatoon, Literature and Education, Delhi

Dr Waikhom Gojen Meeitei, Literature and Education, Manipur

Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, Literature and Education, Kerala

Prof Dinesh Singh, Literature and Education, Delhi

Dr (Mrs) P Kilemsungla, Literature and Education, Nagaland

Anjum Chopra, Sports-Cricket, Delhi

Sunil Dabas, Sports-Kabbadi, Haryana

Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu, Sports-Mountaineering, Delhi

Dipika Rebecca Pallikal, Sports-Squash, Tamil Nadu

H Boniface Prabhu, Sports-Wheelchair Tennis, Karnataka

Yuvraj Singh, Sports-Cricket, Haryana

Mamta Sodha Sports-Mountaineering, Haryana

Parveen Talha, Civil Service, Uttar Pradesh

Late Dr Narendra Achyut Dabholkar , Social Work, Maharashtra

Ashok Kumar Mago, Trade and Industry, USA

Siddharth Mukherjee, Medicine-Oncology, USA

Dr Vamsi Mootha, Medicine-Biomedical Research, USA

Dr Sengaku Mayeda, Literature and Education, Japan.

This Blog congratulates all the selected persons for the Padma awards and wishes them Greater Glories in their respective chosen fields of endeavour in the years to come. Further comments on the awards will find place in a subsequent Post.

*  *  *  E  N  D  *  *  *

PM'S PRESS CONFERENCE - 2002 RIOTS vs 1984 RIOTS - NOT ENOUGH ANSWERS - MORE QUESTIONS

2002 RIOTS

VS

1984 RIOTS

 

People forget; especially people who say bad things; people who do bad things; they forget very easily. They would not remember a word of what insensitive things they said to others. They would not remember the worst crimes they committed on others. But, the people who have suffered at their hands – it is difficult for them to forget what bad things they heard and what hard things they suffered at the hands of the former - that easily. That is how we are all made – except  the Buddhas, the Yogis and the Good Samaritans, who want to move on doing good, irrespective of what bad is told about them; and what bad is done to them.

It is in this context that we need to view the statements of our Political leaders of all hues. The latest example of this is the Press conference of our Prime Minister, Dr.Man Mohan Singh. I do hold Dr.Man Mohan Singh a Good Man and Most of the Media holds him as a bad leader. He never led the Government of which he was the anointed head. The latest press conference of his looks like a bad example of his failing leadership.

There were too many things in this press conference, which were “not good” enough - FOR ANY ONE to accept and approve. Most pressmen have disapproved large parts of the PM's replies.

But, I would like to analyze briefly - what he said about Narendra Modi, the Prime Ministerial Candidate of BJP. Here are the published portions of his  answers to the relevant Questions  on this aspect : 

Q: Do you think Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi is an equal contest? Are you confident he will be able to form the Government?

 

PM: I have full confidence that the next Prime Minister will be from the UPA coalition, and that without discussing the merits of Mr. Narendra Modi, it will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. 

Q: The BJP and Mr. Modi’s charge against you is that you have been a weak PM. Does the party have a role?

 

PM: I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister. That is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. But if by “strong Prime Minister”, you mean that you preside over a mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that sort of strength this country needs, least of all, in its Prime Minister. 

Q: What about succour to the victims of anti-Sikh riots?

 

PM: If you are talking about the Sikhs who suffered in 1984 riots, I think our Government has done quite a lot, and I used the opportunity of a discussion in Parliament, to publicly apologise to the Sikh community on behalf of the Government of our country, for what had happened in 1984. It should never have happened. As far as the compensation is concerned, one can never give adequate compensation to compensate for the loss of valuable lives. But wherever possible, we have provided succour to the suffering families of the Sikhs affected by the 1984 riots. 

Now, against the questions and answers, I quote below what the leader of Opposition says about what the PM says :

"Is he willing to use the same phraseology for the Prime Minister as on 1st November, 1984 during whose tenure the worst ever genocide in the country took place against the Sikh community and for which nobody till date has been held responsible," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters.

So, India had 2 Major riots, if we believe the Congress and the BJP. One happened in 1984 and another in 2002.

 The 1984 anti-sikh riots had taken place in the aftermath of the assassination of Indira Gandhi, when Rajiv Gandhi took over as Prime Minister.  I am quoting below what Wikipedia says about the riots in its first para  at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_anti-Sikh_riots

“The 1984 anti-Sikhs riots or the 1984 Sikh Massacre were a series of pogroms directed against Sikhs in India, by anti-Sikh mobs, in response to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. There were more than 8,000 deaths, including 3,000 in Delhi. The Central Bureau of Investigation, the main Indian investigating agency, is of the opinion that the acts of violence were organized with the support from the then Delhi police officials and the central government headed by Indira Gandhi's son, Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister after his mother's death and, when asked about the riots, said "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes". 

This is not what I say. This is what many respected web sites say. They may be wrong in some small details, but we all know that, by and large, the massacre did happen and many congress leaders and workers were the main culprits. Many other details of the 1984 riots are well documented in many news web sites. Many Congress leaders and thousands of congress workers were involved in this frenzied anti-sikh riots. 

Dr. Manmohan Singh may have publicly apologized for the riots  much later – because, huge discontentment was simmering among the sufferers. The Apology, coming so late in the day, was not bad, but was not sufficient. Many disturbing questions arise in this context.

1.     Why was there no strong and swift action to put down the massacre itself – by the then Congress Government? In fact, this is the first question that Congress has to ask itself  and answer to the public convincingly. It is more important because, the Congress is asking the BJP the same question in respect of 2002 riots.

2.     BJP”s Narendra Modi, had put down the riots in Ahmedabad within 24 hours time. But, the PM is not answering why the Congress and its top Brass allowed the Anti-sikh riots to continue for several days as a free for all!

3.     The question of compensation is ridiculous. How much compensation is good enough for mass murders? Yet, did the government do all it could to restore at least the economic status of the killed persons’ families? This should have been done in 1984 and in 2002 both.

4.   The apology by the next, next PM is next to nothing – but the PM and Congress are trotting it as ‘more than sufficient’ compensation for all the riot victims’ sufferings. Raja Dharma or the Duty of the head of the Government is totally different. You can apologize for every Murder, every Gang rape etc committed all over India at the start of every Day in Parliament and state assemblies. Is this of any use? Government is expected to ensure that no further crimes are committed at all by anyone after the first crime that comes to its Notice. And, by that standard, Narendra Modi’s record since 2002 is reasonably good, while the record of Congress is not.

5.     Head of Government must ensure that the perpetrators of the crimes are punished severely, so that the sufferer has some solace that the Government is fair to the victim’s families at least. Here again, Narendra Modi’s Government got the offenders punished in considerably short time (a decade); while the perpetrators of the anti-sikh mass murders are at large even now(3 decades). There doesn’t even  seem to be sufficient effort to identify the mass murderers in case of the 1984 riots even now. In the face of this, how is Dr.Man Mohan Singh’s apology of any value to the victims?

6.     Therefore, this anti-Modi campaign continuing from Congress & its allies’ side is meaningless. There are a few other facets of this campaign which are sickening. First, there was torching of the train compartments at Godhra – in which many people were torched in burning train compartments. No Congress man ever talks of this and condemns its perpetrators. Then came the Ahmedabad riots. Yes. Both should not have happened. But, they did and they were put down by the Gujarat Police within 24 Hours. The perpetrators were quickly identified and they have been sent to Jail and got punished by Modi. One congress MP was among the victims killed and his widow Zakia Jaffri has been fighting – not for punishment of the real culprits, but for punishing Narendra Modi. Her anguish at the murder of her husband is understandable and she deserves sympathy on that count. If she demands that the real perpetrators of the crime must be punished or even hanged, it makes sense. But, her demand has always been Political. It doesn’t in fact seem to be a widow’s Genuine demand at all. Whether Modi is guilty or not – Modi should be punished – and that is her demand. How would it look if the demand of Sikhs is that, Congress PM and Congress CMs of respective states are to be sentenced for Anti-sikh riots of 1984? Why doesn’t Dr.Singh at least, see and accept the meaninglessness of such demands. Jaffri’s demand is not a suffering widow’s demand but the demand of the Politicians in disguise behind her. Did she make a similar demand in respect of the Godhra victims, or, the anti-sikh riot victims? No. That is the tragedy. Her demand, the demand of the Congress and that of the PM looks purely Political.

7.     That said – Raja Dharma must dictate that victims’ families must be provided sufficient compensation and security so that they can live in dignity. This applies to 1984 first and 2002 next. And to any riots, murders, rapes and Gang rapes that happen anywhere else in the country.

8.     Apologies by heads of Government are of no Use. They must ACT FAST. They must feel the pain of each victim. They must prevent crimes from happening. They must get offenders quickly punished.

9.     After Nirbhaya’s case and strong public Protests on it - Even today Gang rapes are occurring in many states; would it be OK if the CMs there express APOLOGY and keep quiet without punishing the offenders? In some states, it looks as if neither apology nor remorse, nor action is there from heads of Government. And, worst, ruling party men in some states seem to be behind such acts, judging by some news reports!

10.  Narendra Modi’s record after 2002 has been reasonably GOOD. Now that, there is a competitor in Arvind Kejriwal in Good Governance, I am sure, both of them will try to excel each other in Good Governance. But, will Congress stop finger pointing (with an sullied finger) and start performing? Dr. Singh is Good and capable. Rahul is Sincere. That cannot be said of many others in Congress. Can both start Governing? Even the next five months could prove to be Good Governance for India under Dr.Singh! India will welcome any such Shift to Good Governance. 2014 Elections should be on Good Governance. Not on 2002.

11.  If it is on 2002, Modi should win hands down.

 *  *  *   E  N  D  *  *  *

2014 = Year of Destiny ;Narendra Modi = Health,strength & Progress for India; Arvind Kejriwal = Health but not Strength or Progress; Rahul = Not Ready Yet

2014 

THE YEAR OF DESTINY 

FOR INDIA

 

2013 was the year of discovery of Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal both - on the national Political scene.

Narendra Modi, for the 1st time, campaigned as the BJP's Prime Ministerial Candidate in 4 states - and all of them supported BJP in a Big way. The campaign itself proved Modi as the star campaigner with huge capability to attract people. 

Modi was Highly successful in Building Gujarat - despite ALL OBSTACLES placed in his path by the Congress and UPA. All other parties which criticized Modi - were rejected by people in a Big way, and this must be a lesson for them - not to spread lies and canards about People in General, and about hard Working people in particular.

In Delhi, Kejriwal was campaigning for almost 2 years - and came a deserving second. Modi campaigned in Delhi only in the last phase and yet Delhi gave him the first place, a little short of Majority. 

With, of all parties, Congress backing the AAP, Arvind has become CM of Delhi - and is quickly redeeming his Electoral Promises.  How long will his Government last is a different thing. But, I wish him to gain strength all over India, displacing Congress everywhere, so that he does not need its support.

But, he must avoid the tendency to seek support of the most communal clerics, while professing his Brand of secularism. Also, some of his partymen have dubious views on J&K, which is not at all Healthy for India. The Good Points in AAP's armoury are - rooting out corruption and Fair prices for electricity , water and other essential commodities. These are needed for India in all states. That said, the weakest point in AAP is its lack of any grand, viable  Plan for the progress of India and employment for all. In fact, Arvind's insistence on reducing electricity charges by 50% can deter all further investments in Delhi.

That skill for progress and prosperity, Modi has in  great abundance. Modi can reduce corruption quickly; Modi can build world class Industrial, Agricultural and services sectors in India. Modi can allow Entrepreneurs of India to build a India that is far superior to other developed countries in record time. He can Unite People irrespective of religion or caste. He will not allow religious extremism of any sort in India ( even including that in his own party). He can deal effectively with Terrorism of all sorts. Some of these are NOT IN THE CAPABILITY of AAP and definitely not in Congress.

That said,Congress does have some good persons - including Rahul Gandhi himself and some of its younger leaders. We can't write them away, if they choose to come together and dump the corrupt Core in the Party.

But, 2014 is the year of India's Destiny.

My wishes for India are straight from my assessment of all Political Parties and current needs of India.

I wish - 

(1) Narendra Modi must become PM for next 5 years, with no one needed to support him from inside or outside. He is the only visionary leader, capable of making India as Number one in the world; and  the only one who can unite all the people, without dividing them on any Ground. Modi is the Most secular leader in India today- and most of his critics on this score are most insecure and non-secular minds. Modi will Build India like never before in its 66 years of freedom. Indian Democracy will be vibrant enough - to reassess him at the end of the next 5 years and renew or withdraw its mandate at that time. Right now - I feel, it must be Modi as PM. That seems the obvious choice.

  (2) Arvind Kejriwal must replace Congress and other smaller Parties in all states and AAP must become the main Opposition Party in Parliament. India should not repeat the Delhi Experiment of making Congress the King Maker, even if it is itself trounced and Dumped. 

If Rahul chooses to dump the corrupt core in Congress and bring it out as a rejuvenated party, which is unlikely before 2014 elections, then, it will be slightly different. Still, Arvind deserves a good place under the Sun.

(3) People of India must dump all other Parties TOTALLY, in Parliament elections - as they are of little or No value in Parliament. Any alliance with some of them will be the root cause of corruption and many other illnesses which will plague India, like in last several years.

  In short, my assessment is - 

(1) Modi = Health + Strength + Progress for India 

(2)Kejriwal = Health for India but not its strength and progress; 

(3) Many (But Not All) others = Cause of Diseases of India;

(4) Rahul Gandhi = Not Yet Ready ;

May India choose its destiny wisely.

I wish India  and all of us : a Happy, Healthy, Hilarious, Prosperous, Progressive, and United - New Year 2014.

(v.vijayamohan)